Dr. Michele Arthurs, a lifestyle medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente, understands that grocery shopping with kids can be challenging. To make it easier, she turned shopping trips into fun scavenger hunts when her children were younger.
“If we were looking for grapes, I’d give them clues. I’d say something like, ‘The food we need might be purple or green, small and round like a ball. Can you guess what it is?’” she shared with News4. This approach helped her kids learn while having a great time.
Arthurs isn’t alone in her approach. Nutritionist Leslie Jefferson from Giant Food also has tips for making shopping easier and healthier. Both experts noted that grocery stores offer a wealth of learning opportunities for kids, despite the tempting sugary snacks.
According to Arthurs, the vibrant aisles of fruits and vegetables are perfect for teaching kids about where their food comes from and its benefits. “You can make healthy choices at the store. Small decisions can lead to better habits, and by involving your kids, you can help them appreciate what they eat as they grow,” she said.
Jefferson pointed out that grocery stores often use programs like Guiding Stars. This initiative, backed by medical professionals, rates foods based on their nutritional value, giving them one to three stars for their health benefits. “If you leave the store and see that most of your items have stars, you know you’re choosing nutrient-dense foods,” she explained.
To help families make balanced meals, Jefferson recommends using the USDA’s “MyPlate” symbol. This guideline suggests half your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables, with grains and protein filling the remaining space. This visual makes it easier for parents and kids to understand how to build healthier meals.
Shopping carts can help limit treat purchases too. Arthurs suggests using the smaller top compartment of the cart to represent the top of the food pyramid, which contains less healthy options. “If it doesn’t fit in that space, we shouldn’t buy it. This creates natural boundaries,” she said.
Both experts emphasized that making small, healthy swaps can have lasting impacts. The lessons learned in grocery stores can shape children’s eating habits for life. Engaging kids in these shopping experiences not only makes it fun but also lays the groundwork for healthier futures.
In fact, a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that children who participate in grocery shopping are 40% more likely to try new fruits and vegetables. So, not only does shopping become a game, but it also boosts the family’s health. These moments in the store create lasting memories and significant lifestyle changes.
For more insights on nutrition and healthy habits, you can check the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s resources here.
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