When most people try to lose weight, they watch one number: the scale. But not all weight loss is...
Healthy Eating Habits Start in the Kitchen
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: April 4, 2012
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Being a part of a healthy and active family helps to make weight loss in Phoenix and Scottsdale fun for the whole group! Whether you’re an adult trying to lose weight and stay healthy or a kid that can’t quite see over the kitchen counter yet, getting the whole gang involved can make it that much more worthwhile. Especially when it comes to children eating right, parents want to make sure they’re inspiring healthy eating habits for their kids as early as possible.
Research shows that children are more likely to eat foods that they have had a hand in preparing, and very often these family meals are more nutritious then take-out options, adding to a decreased risk of obesity—the camaraderie and bonding are added benefits! But in order to help our children understand the value of a healthy lifestyle we have to take them to where it all begins—in the kitchen. Whether you’re three years old or a teenager, helping prepare dinner in any way with your family can help to inspire healthy habits.
Here are some ways your children can help no matter what their age
Set-Up – When it comes to setting up for a recipe, gathering the ingredients is a great task for even the smallest of hands. They can take their time carefully picking out the ingredients and setting up, and you will have easy access to whatever you need when the recipe calls for it.
Measuring – Kids can help measure and pour ingredients for your recipes. Not only is this a math lesson but it’s fun and it will teach your kids that measurement and portion size are an important part of eating healthy.
Washing – Washing your fresh vegetables is an important part of meal preparation and an easy task for your kids to handle. They will be able to spend time hand-washing and rinsing the healthy ingredients that are about to be incorporated into their dinner.
Crushing & Pounding – Kids love hands-on activities—especially if they involve banging utensils around. Have your kids help you flatten chicken breast or use a rolling pin to crush protein-filled nuts.
Serving – If they’re old enough, have your kids help serve the food they prepared with serving utensils or ladles. This experience will help them feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the healthy meal about to be enjoyed.
These are only a few ways to involve your kids and help them to understand the importance of eating and preparing healthy foods. Each preparation step gives you a chance to also explain to your kids what it is you’re cooking or adding to the recipe so that they can understand the different ingredients that make up a nutritious meal. Kids will be able to quickly visually see and learn about healthy food choices as they help prepare dinner, and in return will enjoy eating otherwise boring vegetables for a change.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
Reviews
Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
