How many times has your child asked you, “What’s for dinner?” Probably several times this week alone. Kids are constantly hungry and are usually foraging through the pantry for something to tide them over until it’s time for dinner. Wouldn’t you love to ask them, “What’s for dinner?” Then teach your children to cook a real meal!
Whether you’re an avid home chef who adores discovering new recipes or a reluctant cook who only dons a cooking apron under duress, teaching your kids to cook is an essential skill that will benefit them for life.
While teens may know how to boil water to make a packet of noodles or pop a bag of popcorn in the microwave, they are just a few short years away from becoming independent adults. When they are paying their own way, and realise how expensive—and unhealthy—it is to eat out and order a meal through a delivery service, they will appreciate knowing how to plan a meal, shop for the ingredients and cook a healthy, nutritious dinner.
There are many benefits for kids who know how to cook. They eat fewer fast-food meals and eat more vegetables. Studies have shown that adolescents who cook have fewer incidences of depression. Preparing meals for themselves and their families also boosts their self-esteem. And as they get in the habit of cooking at home, they will learn to budget and save money—and not rely on expensive take-out for their evening meal when they move out on their own.
Although kids underfoot in the kitchen can be time-consuming and annoying, with time and patience you can train up a sous chef to help you out and actually make your life easier. See it as a long-term investment.
Everybody needs to eat, and the benefits of eating balanced nutritious meals go beyond helping to maintain a healthy weight and boosting moods and energy levels. Imparting knowledge of nutrition is setting up good habits for life.
There are many other benefits to teaching kids how to cook healthy meals, the least of which is one night a week they can practice on the family while you kick back.
Cooking and eating is also a brilliant way to connect with family and friends which is known to help alleviate feelings of social isolation. Wondering how to get started? The following are some top tips on moving your teaching to the kitchen.