Hi, I’m Laney! I am a Registered Dietitian, and received my master's degree in Dietetics from the University of Georgia. As the Program Coordinator for Small Bites Adventure Club, I have a background in early childhood nutrition and a passion for nutrition education!

Did you know March is National Nutrition Month? Here at Small Bites Adventure Club, nutrition and food education are celebrated every month! Our mission is to help children discover, eat, and love fruits and vegetables through teacher-led, hands-on experiences.

We know that when children have an opportunity to prepare and try fruits and veggies- they are more likely not just to eat them, but really love them! There is not much evidence that links knowledge to significant behavior change. (Just because a kid knows something is healthy, doesn’t mean they are going to start eating it.) Instead, it is best to focus on creating joyful experiences for children and modeling acceptance of fruits and vegetables!

*Students from Ladies of Favor Dream Academy making Super Power Kale Pesto!*

Here are Small Bites Adventure Club's top 5 tips for encouraging adventurous eaters:

1. Get rooted in joy and positive memories
Children respond best when they are having fun while learning. One study shows that focusing on positive reinforcement (not necessarily physical rewards!) at school and home increases the acceptance and consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Fun hands-on cooking experiences turn into positive memories that children will take with them for the rest of their life! Food is so much more than basic subsistence - it’s associated with comfort and pleasure, and creates nostalgia. Food nostalgia is a powerful emotion, and one that many food companies employ. So just image that tiny kindergartener growing up into a young adult picking out their groceries, reaching for kale…because somewhere deep in her brain’s hippocampus was a memory of making Super Power Kale pesto with friends!

2. Adventure is key

Our Small Bites teacher members start every activity with a pledge: Are you ready to go on an adventure? Let’s go on adventure with our tastebuds! We know it can be scary to try new things. Trying new foods is a way to be brave and adventurous. Teachers celebrate the children who try new foods. And, if they are not quite ready, that’s OK! Children are celebrated for what they are comfortable with: like holding, smelling or even licking a new food!

Studies show that increased exposure to new foods improves children’s empowerment and bravery. Creating adventurous eaters helps children develop confidence and feel ready for new experiences in the classroom, at home, and in the world.

3. Make “positive” faces when serving food

Children respond to role models - especially involving fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity. Research shows that there is power at snack time and lunch to model positive reactions to these foods. It is important to remember that our faces and our comments when serving children food are guiding their perception and acceptance of that food. So, even if you don’t like a food- try to keep your face positive or at the very least neutral (Kids can tell if you’re faking!) Keep your words descriptive instead of judging, such as “This is really crunchy!” This will help children develop their own preferences.

4. Power of Peers
Believe it or not, peer pressure can sometimes be a really great thing! A study by University of Georgia’s Dr. Leanne Birch focuses on just that. This study found that children are more likely to choose a non-preferred food - like fruits and vegetables- after they have seen a peer choose that food, even in the presence of a favorite or preferred food. This study also found that these changes in fruit and vegetable consumption may be long-lasting!

*A student at Little Linguistics International proudly making Sassy Slaw with Cabbage and Carrots!*

5. Self-efficacy: Let kids feel proud!

Hands-on cooking activities build confidence in children and help develop skills like early literacy, math, and fine motor skills.

Kids are so proud when they can do things themselves. Even 2 and 3-year-olds can use their tiny fingers to pull parsley leaves off the stem and pour ingredients. Choose recipes that are forgiving, easy to follow, and include space for all children to practice their hands-on cooking skills.

There are so many ways to support Adventurous Eaters! What tips do you have?

Top 5 Tips to Encourage Adventurous Eaters from a Registered Dietitian