Chicken and chips is a family favourite using Maggi products
UK mums are on a mission to encourage their children to help cook the family meal in a bid to teach them more about nutrition and healthy eating, according to new research from Maggi.
The Swiss food company found that 86% of UK mums are cheering their children on when it comes to cooking and mums’ encouragement appears to be paying off too, as 93% of kids declared their love for being in the kitchen by choosing cooking as one of their favourite after school activities.
Whether it's chicken and chips, a roast dinner or a Brit favourite, spaghetti bolognese, kids are actively digesting a high number of nutritional facts as almost two thirds (63%) were found to have grasped an understanding of eating five fruit and vegetables a day and 61% understood the importance of a balanced diet and limiting junk food.
“It’s great to see mums are taking advantage of time in the kitchen with their children to develop their understanding of healthy eating..."
So, what makes children so interested in cooking? Maggi revealed that 60% state their favourite aspect of learning to cook is making tasty meals, followed by learning about food (52%), and getting their hands dirty in the kitchen (26%).
But, it’s all down to the eager mums geared with creative culinary skills and ready to pass these down to the next generation. Over half (56%) of modern mums ensure that they make time to pass on cooking skills to their children at least once a week, despite juggling more demands than ever. While half of all mums questioned considered cooking to be the best way to spend quality time with their children.
Maggi Nutritionist, Liz Read, said: “It’s great to see mums are taking advantage of time in the kitchen with their children to develop their understanding of healthy eating and how important it is to eat balanced family meals prepared and eaten as a family! It’s also really encouraging to see that kids are enjoying spending their time in the kitchen and learning more about how to cook.”
Maggi’s five quick top tips to get children in the kitchen:
1. Little chefs - Children will often try a dish as long as they've had a hand in cooking it. Cooking together at home is a good opportunity to introduce new ingredients and recipes into childrens diet.
2. Family mealtimes - Eat the same thing and eat together. Different meals at different times mean more work and are often more costly overall.
3. Plan ahead - Discuss the week's menu with your children to ensure they have some input into what they eat. Let them write it down and decorate it then pin it up on the fridge so everyone can see what's on the menu each day.
4. Split the job - Give your children tasks in the kitchen - even if it's something they don't like to eat, they can certainly have a hand in preparing the dish, just make sure they are always supervised when cooking.
5. Kids’ kitchen kit - Give children their own cooking kit. Gather together a saucepan, wooden spoon and apron with their name on and you'll find they're keen to put them to use.
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Shabana Adam