Youngsters learn to make healthy snacks through MU Extension program

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Students give fun, healthy snacks an A-plus in University of Missouri Extension’s Kids in the Kitchen program.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade learn how to fix healthy, fun snacks, says MU Extension nutrition and health education specialist Lynda Zimmerman.

The statewide program teaches kids that healthy, tasty food doesn’t have to be boring or hard to make.

At South Elementary in Jefferson City, little chefs are making their own creations after participating in food and safety lessons during the five-week program held as part of the school’s Boys and Girls Club after-school program.

Kids learn basic kitchen skills such as measuring, mixing and cutting, as well as safety and basic nutrition.

Children are more apt to eat healthy snacks when they help make them, Zimmerman said. Parents of children who complete the class report that they ask them more often for fruits and vegetables rather than prepackaged unhealthy snacks.

Students also learn to substitute ingredients that might not be available in their own kitchens. They also learn the right way to talk to adults about what foods they would like them to buy for snacks.

Vickie Wieberg, school nurse at South Elementary, said the program exposes the children to healthy food habits and prevents obesity.

Sometimes students may be responsible for fixing snacks and meals for siblings while their parents are working, she said. The class helps them cook safely and healthily for the entire family.

The class is a hit with students. “It’s really, really yummy and I really liked making our own food,” said Jaimeson Arnold, 8. “At first, I thought a lot of fruits and vegetables would be gross, but then if you put them together in different ways they can be really, really yummy and healthy at the same time.” He looks forward to teaching his mother some new recipes.

Shaunta Adams, 8, said she enjoys being creative with cooking. She likes to watch her mother cook and wants to share recipes for yogurt parfait and “funny face” rice cakes with her. “We get to work together and just have fun,” she says.

Adult volunteers like the program too because they think it is important to teach kitchen skills at an early age, Zimmerman says. Each adult volunteer helps five children.

MU Extension, Central Missouri WeCan (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity) and Jefferson City South Elementary sponsor the program for the Boys and Girls Club after-school group in Jefferson City.