How to Teach Nutrition to Kids: Digest This Now!
As a mother, nutrition is something that is very important to me. I want to give my son the best in life, especially when it comes to his health. With the growing problem of obesity in America, being educated about nutrition at a young age is key. Children need to be informed about their own health and why nutrition is so crucial.
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How do we go about teaching our children about nutrition?
As adults, we can have a hard time connecting the subject to how a child would think about it. That is why I love the book Digest This Now for Kids! by Kai Nunziato-Cruz, a 12-year-old. Kai published this book to educate his peers about nutrition. Who better to teach kids this subject than someone their own age? Kids like him show us that there is a bright future and all we need to do as adults, is nurture and encourage kids.
What inspired a 12-year-old boy to write a book about nutrition to teach other kids? Nobody can explain it better than Kai himself!
Why I Wrote Digest This Now for Kids
by 12-Year-Old Nutrition Expert, Kai Nunziato-Cruz
Hey Guys! Kai here from Generation Kai! As a 12 year old I’m super busy with things like school, sports, theater, and skateboarding and I don’t have a lot of time to be worried about my health. In fact, we as kids shouldn’t have to be worried about our health, but did you know we are the first generation of kids that aren’t supposed to outlive our parents. Why you ask? Because of the foods we eat, the drinks we drink and the technology we love, our bodies are being setup for weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep issues, and the list goes on.
It was because of these reasons that I wanted to take the book my parents wrote for adults and make it for kids. Their book is called “Digest This Now!” It’s a quick and simple read about how the body works, why we in this country are getting so sick and what to do to be well. I’ve seen with my own eyes how many adults this book as helped and when I was nine years old I asked them if I could make a kids version. After seeing so many of my friends be tired, stressed, overweight, and on so many medicines, I thought maybe I could help them too!
It took me almost two full years to write the book. I thought it was going to be easy, you know just put some words down on paper and presto, you have a book. I learned it’s a bit more complicated than that. Aside from the time it took to write it, I had to hire a graphic designer to draw the pictures just as I wanted them, and I had to do a photo shoot with the exact pictures I wanted of myself in the book. This all took lots of time and energy. But it was worth it!
I am so proud of the book I published last year, called “Digest This Now for Kids!” I’m also proud of the fact that it has already helped so many kids. I think the fact that I wrote it in my own words, words for kids that more kids will want to read it and put it into action. Maybe if it’s coming from me, a kid like them, they will be more willing to try new things or change the way they are living today to move their body toward better health. I also think teaching kids these concepts at such a young age is so important because it will set them up for a much brighter and healthier future. The earlier you learn good habits the better and the longer you will live by them.
The book itself is a quick and easy read about how your body works and what you need to do to get and stay healthy. I talk about everything from food, to stress, to getting better rest. Here are just a few of the tips I give in the book:
1. Drink more water
Most of us drink everything but water during the day, but the only thing that hydrates is water. You should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces per day. So if you weigh 100 pounds, you should be drinking 50 ounces of water every day.
2. Eat real food
Stop eating processed food and fast food. Before buying things read the ingredients. If there are more than 8 – 10 items on the list or things you can’t pronounce you shouldn’t be eating it. Try to eat more real food; things like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains like jasmine rice or nuts and seeds.
3. Manage your stress
I know I can’t teach you how to avoid stress altogether but learning how to manage it can change your body’s health and well-being. Consider deep breathing exercises or journaling to get out your frustrations.
4. Get to bed
One thing we as kids lack is good rest. On average we should be getting a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night. And no screen time right before bed.
5. Get moving
Try to limit yourself to no more than 30 minutes per day on your technology. Get up, be active, ride your bike, play outside, stretch your body. It will thank you for it later!
I hope this helped give you some tips on how to be healthier long into adulthood. All of these concepts will apply through your whole life. If you want even more great tips, especially on what foods to eat and what foods to avoid, make sure you get a copy of my book and subscribe to my Youtube channel.
About Kai Nunziato-Cruz:
Kai Nunziato-Cruz is a 12-year-old nutrition expert from Arizona. As the son of Liz Cruz M.D., a board-certified Gastroenterologist, and Tina Nunziato, a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Kai has watched his Moms for years help adults get well and stay well with their books, podcast, online home study program and more and felt it was his mission to take those same teachings to kids. Kai is the author of Digest This Now! for Kids a kid-friendly, doctor-approved book about healthy eating and he also teaches through his YouTube show Generation Kai.
Kids Teaching Kids
Learning from other kids is such a wonderful thing. I know that when I was young, I always paid more attention and got more out of a lesson that came from a peer.
I encourage all parents to purchase Digest This Now for Kids! It is a great way for kids to learn this important subject. Knowing that another kid wrote it will make it that much more impactful. Also, you will be supporting a bright young kid who dreams of a better tomorrow. What is better than that?
Check out my recipe page for some great healthy recipes for the whole family!
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44 Comments
Toughcookiemommy
It’s so important for kids to be aware of how to read nutrition labels and know what they are putting into their bodies. This is a great way to start the conversation.
Kat
I completely agree! Thank you!
Sauumye
This is really inspirational. And I agree all of these are great ways to teach kids all about nutrition.
Kat
I was really inspired by Kai and that’s why I wanted to share about his book!
Avianti
I wish more people taught their kids this! Its only for their benefit to eat healthier! And it’s fun to cook too!
Kat
I agree! I’m starting to have my son help me more in the kitchen so he can learn the cooking side as well.
Becca Wilson
This is so important for them to know at an early age. Nutrition is so very important and the better you are about taking care of your body when you are young, the better it will be when you are older.
Kat
I agree! It’s one of the best lessons we can teach our children.
Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland
I think it is imperative to teach children proper nutrition. It definitely seems to be something that is missing these days
Kat
With school lunches getting worse and worse, it really is a big gap in our society and schools.
Brittanu
That sounds like a great book! Our daughter is in preschool and they have a garden. I think learning and being hands on with food is a great way for kids to learn about nutrition.
Kat
I totally agree! Any way we can make connections is great.
London Mumma
I am all about leading by example. teaching our kids from a young age about nutrition.
Kat
I agree.
blair villanueva
Teaching kids nutrition at the early stage will give them lots of benefits. It will be planted to their system as part of their life.
Kat
I think it’s one of the most important things to teach early.
Heidi
That is so cool that a kid wrote a book about nutrition for kids. I think I need to read it. I think it’s really hard to get kids on board with this topic!
Kat
It’s really great! Kids teaching kids is the best!
MiamiGirlFoodie
This is so fantastic! I thinks it so important to teach children about nutrition. Part of my job is to see children at schools and I always get so surprised when I see the lunches that they have packed!
Kat
The more informed they are, the more likely they are to make good choices!
nicole
i love this!health and nutrition is so important for kids and seeing this being done by someone who is still a child is incredibly impressive. i can only imagine how much smarter they’ll be in 20+years.
Kat
I know right? Big things in this kids future.
Brittany Vantrease
How inspirational! My oldest is very creative and I tell him all of the time that he could write his own books and here is a child who has already written and published one and it’s very useful too! My kids are such picky eaters and this could be what they need in order to start eating better.
Kat
I was so inspired by Kai as well! I think it’s so great and hearing it from another kid could be just the thing to motivate them to eat healthy!
Sundeep
Teaching kids about nutrition is always pain. But we never fail we try again and again. This is very helpful post. I must say very informative post. Thanks for sharing this
Kat
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Evelyn Hernandez
We try to lead by example, we are a very HealthyFitCouple and are very active. Love that Kai Nunziato-Cruz learned from his mom and is now helping other kids.
Kat
I agree. When we have good role models for parents, it makes it easier.
Scott Gombar
This is great. I have been trying to teach my kids about good nutrition (and my self) but it’s a struggle. We’re getting there slowly but surely
Kat
It’s hard to change habits, but worth it once you do.
Natalie
I am so inspired by Kai. How great he is so interested in nutrition and taking after his parents’ careers.
Kat
I know! It’s so wonderful to see kids doing what he has done!
Devyani Ray
It’s never too early to start good habits and healthy eating is one of the top ones!
Kat
Yes! The earlier you start, the better it is for them.
Paulette
It’s good to teach them young that way it won’t be hard later on in life.
Kat
I agree. Start good habits early!
Jessica Joachim
This book seems awesome! It is so important to teach kids from a young age. I always have my kids help in the kitchen and with the groceries! I think it is also important to lead by example.
Kat
I agree. If they see us doing it, then it is more likely they will follow.
tara pittman
Teaching kids nutrition is always a good thing. I like telling my kids how the food helps their body.
Kat
That’s a great way to help them connect to it!
stacey
This made me chuckle because I taught my kids this way. Its why they’ve always preferred real food to junk food. Give it to them and more than likely they’ll eat it.
Kat
Yes! I do the same with my son.
Amber Myers
I am working on this with my kids. I think they get it for the most part. I just also tell them everything in moderation. I don’t believe in every denying yourself.
Kat
I agree with that. Moderation is key.