Juicy Juice is teaming up with Food Network Star Jeff Mauro to help families discover a world of flavor with our 100% juice line, inspiring kids to expand their taste palates with original recipes like these!
Emmy-nominated Chef Jeff Mauro was born and raised in Chicago, where he was determined from an early age to become the funniest chef in the world. Today, Jeff is cohost of Food Network’s hit daytime show The Kitchen and the star of the network’s Sandwich King, He is the proud partner and executive chef of Pork & Mindy’s restaurants and retail line of sauces, events and legendary Pig Candy, sharing his love for globally inspired dishes. He live in Chicago with his family.
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The more they cook, the more they’ll try.
A guaranteed way to get kids to try new things is by getting them involved. It can be as easy as cracking eggs, pouring juice for a sauce, or grating cheese on taco night. You can even let your kids help cook the ingredients in a pan. If you’re having steak for dinner, let your child help flip it in the pan or sauté the veggies. Once kids help create a dish, they establish a deeper connection to the food and will most definitely want to try what they’ve created.
Aim a bit higher with flavor!
It’s all about simple swaps! Whether it’s snack time or mealtime, start introducing more robust flavors into dishes kids already love. Maybe it’s sharp cheddar or provolone instead of American cheese on their sandwich, or perhaps seasoning their meats and veggies – and it doesn’t only have to be salt and pepper. This not only gives their diet some diversity, but also slowly and organically introduces their palates to new and exciting flavors. And remember, just because they might not try it the first time, doesn’t mean they never will.
Be honest, don’t hide it!
It’s true – honesty is the best policy! A lot of kids don’t like their fruits and veggies, but hiding spinach in brownies or other sweet treats is deceptive and can backfire on parents. Instead, be direct and use food to teach kids about new flavors and cuisines. For example, Juicy Juice has sixteen 100% juice flavor varieties. Make mealtime educational, and ask, “Where do kiwis come from?” or “What color is salmon?” Describe not only the taste, but fun facts about fruits and other new foods to curious minds. Remember, it’s important to continue exposing kids to new foods and flavors. Diverse diets are healthy diets, after all!
Be a “Smoothie Operator”
Smoothies are a surefire way to get kids a well-balanced meal, especially for breakfast. Start with a base of ice in the blender—that’s what keeps it cold. Next, layer in your liquids, such as whole milk Greek yogurt, which provides the protein to keep kids feeling full. Then, you’ll pour in the Juicy Juice – that adds flavor and helps everything blend together. The fun part about making smoothies is that you can introduce kids to a ton of new flavors – mix and match or taste test a new one each week. Juicy Juice has sixteen different varieties- including kid-favorites like Apple or unique flavor combinations like Orange Tangerine and Passion Dragonfruit. Last up, add some sliced banana for fruit and kale for greens and minerals. Blend, pour and go! Boom, your kid will leave the house totally fortified.
Let’s Chew and Chat
Mealtime can sometimes be a battle. Stay calm and talk to your child about why he or she might not like what’s on the plate. Ask questions to find out more about your child’s palate. Maybe it’s a texture issue, or the taste is too bitter. Ask your kids to provide a critique of their food when they take a bite. Have them describe the flavor, in great detail, much like a chef does. Maybe they’ll say things like, “It’s super tender” or “a bit salty!” Have fun with it! Who knows, you may have a future foodie on your hands!
Try, Try Again
Unless allergies are involved, the entire family should try to share the same meal. Kids are very observant. Because of this curiosity, parents should encourage kids to try a new flavor or food – even if it’s just a taste. However, if a child doesn’t respond favorably, don’t give up right away. Try again! After all, studies show that it can take kids multiple exposures to a certain food before their palates adjust.
The Kitchen is a Classroom
No matter where you are in the world there will be a certain type of food that is native to a specific area, from New York’s apple orchards to Chicago’s deep-dish pizzas. There’s no tastier way to educate kids than through cooking. From fractions to conversions, kids can learn simple and complex math equations, all while measuring out ingredients and following a recipe. Make it a theme night! Have your child look at a map and pick a state (or country), then find a recipe together that might be a native or traditional dish. You can even play music from the region or decorate the dinner table. Think of it as an interactive way to get kids to try new flavors.
Travel the World Through Cooking
Every country has its own native flavors or tastes, and mealtime can be a great way to reinforce cultural and geographical lessons your kids are learning at home or in school. Once you have a country or city in mind, find out what the traditional mealtimes and eating habits are – from chopsticks to eating with your hands, kids will get excited to try mealtime traditions celebrated by other kids around the world.
