Get Your Cook Involved

In her Exchange article, "A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Childhood Obesity in Early Childhood Programs," Joyce Anderson offers 10 strategies for addressing childhood obesity in early childhood programs. One of these strategies was to get the cook involved...

• Your cook can be a valuable asset in helping to adapt menu choices that are healthy and enjoyable for children.
• Your cook’s attitude of optimism and pleasure in serving a well-prepared meal positively influences children’s perceptions of healthy food choices.
• Encourage and implement family-style food service on a consistent basis. Family- style food service can encourage more than social-emotional skills. In the relaxed atmosphere of “dining” with their teacher and fellow classmates, children are offered wonderful “teachable moments” that encourage healthy food choices and nutrition lessons.
• Be aware that family-style food service requires more work in putting menu items in child-size bowls and usually more utensils to wash.
• When cooks know and understand the needs of young children in relation to mealtime, it is easier to implement family-style food service.

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