Inspiring Kids to Eat Healthy
Stony Brook Medicine is committed to helping kids gain kitchen experience and learn healthier cooking habits young.
Twelve children ages 7 to 10 learned the connection between garden and kitchen. Over three days, the kids picked fruit and vegetables directly from Stony Brook Medicine’s 2,000-square-foot rooftop garden. Stony Brook Heights Rooftop Farm, the hospital's rooftop farm supplies approximately 1,500 pounds of produce per year for patient meal trays and local charities
The visiting children learned about how food and ingredients are grown; harvesting and choosing ingredients to prepare healthier food options; trying a variety of fruit and vegetables with the health benefits behind them; and proper use of kitchen equipment to prepare meals using ingredients they picked by hand. They used their harvest to learn how to make healthy and delicious quinoa salad, hummus and smoothies.
Studies have shown that having confidence in the kitchen leads to fewer fast-food meals and more meals as a family.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior also highlights that young adults with strong cooking skills are more inclined to eat healthy as an adult.
Dr. Everett registered dietitian and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Renaissance School of Medicine:
"Research shows that the younger you are when you like vegetables the more inclined you are to eat them as an adult, and to eat them throughout your life".