1. Module 4: Meals That Appeal to Kids
Cooking Matters EXTRA for Center-Based
Child Care Professionals
Module 4: Meals That Appeal to Kids

2. Healthier Meals Fresh, not processed Primarily plant-based (ex: beans)
Seafood
Lots of vegetables
Whole fruits vs juice
Whole grains
Low fat dairy
Less fat, sugar, & salt in preparation
Healthier condiments

3. Which would you rather eat?
Or…
Why?

4. What Makes Food Appealing?
Appearance
Flavor
Smell
Cultural significance
Variety
Other ideas?

5. Taste Testing
Different colors or varieties of same food

6. Taste Testing
Different FORMS of same food

7. Taste Testing Different foods of same THEME Dried foods Leaves
Round foods
Yellow foods
Cultural foods

8. Teach Kids to Make Healthy Meals
Kids like to try foods they help make
Cooking teaches skills they’ll use for life

9. Tips for Cooking with Kids
Don’t worry about the mess
Think about ways to use time wisely
Enjoy watching kids learn – their smiles will light up your kitchen
Other ideas?

10. Large Group Cooking Project: Homemade Corn Tortilla Chips(for 12)
Cut each tortilla (12) into 6 triangles. Coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray. Place tortilla pieces on a baking sheet and spray with more non-stick spray. Bake minutes.

11. Large Group Cooking Project: Banana Crumble (for 8)
Peel and slice (4) bananas in half lengthwise. Rinse berries and pat dry (or measure out frozen). Spray dish with cooking spray and lay banana slices flat side down in dish. Toss berries with flour and sprinkle over bananas. In bowl, mix flour, oats, sugar, and spices. Cut cold butter into little pieces and rub into dry mixture until crumbly. Spread crumble mix over fruit and press down lightly. Bake. Mix yogurt and honey together for topping.

12. Let Kids Help with Other Food Activities, Too
Planning meals
Food shopping
Growing and picking foods

13. Questions?
Cooking Matters EXTRA for Center-Based Child Care Professionals was developed with support from the Pritzker Early Childhood Foundation