{"id":11716,"date":"2024-07-09T02:42:49","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T16:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/2024\/07\/09\/nom-children-healthy-choices\/"},"modified":"2025-09-15T14:51:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T04:51:17","slug":"nom-children-healthy-choices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/nom-children-healthy-choices\/","title":{"rendered":"Jawaria story | Supporting new parents to make healthy choices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jawaria’s story<\/span> nom! Children participant <\/h1> <\/div>
\"\" <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

\u201cFeeding kids is a challenge, so I thought \u2013 maybe I\u2019ll get something useful out of the course.\u201d\u00a0 <\/h4> <\/div> <\/div>

Jawaria always took an interest in learning better ways to feed her family. She read books and articles, but with three kids aged 11, 7 and 3, putting what she read into practice wasn\u2019t easy.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

nom! Children nutrition education and cooking program <\/h3>

Jawaria was doing the best she could to prepare healthy meals, but on busy days processed foods often seemed the quick easy option. <\/p>

\u201cMy youngest is the easiest to feed because whatever I give her she eats it. But as they get older they are more often having their own preferences. My seven year old just started learning about food allergies at school, and now whenever he doesn\u2019t want to eat something he just says he\u2019s allergic to it,\u201d<\/i> laughed Jawaria. <\/p>

When a place came up in our nom! Children<\/a> program, Jawaria thought it would be an opportunity to pick up a few tips. <\/p>

\u201cFeeding kids is a challenge, so I thought \u2013 maybe I\u2019ll get something useful out of the course.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

nom! Children gave Jawaria the chance for hands on learning in a group setting. Over five weekly sessions, parents learn about nutrition, child eating behaviours, meal planning, food safety, budgeting and shopping. They choose nutritious meals from the cookbooks to prepare and enjoy with the group. <\/p>

\u201cI wanted to have a few more recipes in my bag,”<\/i> Jawaria said. \u201cWe learned new recipes, but I learned label reading as well. And then the cost comparison we did \u2013 real home-made food compared to store bought processed food \u2013 that was great.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

Every participant is given a colourful plate to take home with artwork providing a guide to correct food group portions. <\/p>

\u201cI loved that part actually,\u201d<\/i> said Jawaria, \u201cIt\u2019s a great visual reminder when it\u2019s on your plate. I try to add a lot more vegies. I just look at the portions on the plate and say ok, we need a bit more vegetable on the plate. It was always a challenge, but now I\u2019m more focused that I need to do it.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

The plate and recipe books weren\u2019t the only things Jawaria brought home. Her new approach to food meant new healthier eating habits for the whole family. <\/p>

\u201cIt was a few weeks and now they\u2019re used to it. I\u2019m telling it to them by example and now they actually want vegies with their food,”<\/i> Jawaria said. <\/p>

\u201cWhen you\u2019re out for a barbecue it\u2019s not just a sausage. They want some fresh vegies on their plate and they ask for it \u2013 which I think is amazing. I never thought it\u2019s going to be this easy!\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

The nom! Children program also helps parents and carers with navigating the supermarket. <\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m more mindful of what I put in my trolley now.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

Jawaria is doing more meal planning now and when the family heads out she prepares budget friendly, fresh fruit and vegie snacks at home instead of grabbing something in a packet. <\/p>

\u201cTurning to the packaged food \u2013 it was because in the back of my mind I think healthy food is going to take longer, but when we actually made it here I was able to see how much less time it takes as compared to what I was thinking.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

As a regular volunteer in the school canteen, Jawaria had the opportunity to help design the new summer menu. Next term kids will be trying something straight from the nom! recipe books: Cheeky Chicken Subs, a wholesome grilled chicken and salad roll with a sweet Asian twist. <\/p>

\u201cThe recipe books are very different from traditional books where there\u2019s just one picture and lots of text. There\u2019s great colourful pictures next to every step. My daughter made a dessert and following step by step she did everything on her own \u2013 I feel like I\u2019ve got a good resource to pass onto her.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

Jawaria says she wishes she\u2019d had this opportunity ten years ago. \u201cIt will really help the new parents so they realise the value of food and be a bit more organised with time \u2013 I know I was really time poor when I was with my first child.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s creating memories with the food as well. This is the time when we\u2019re sitting together and I want it to be an enjoyable time for us as a family. When they come to you when they are older they should have happy memories associated with what mealtime is as a family.\u201d <\/i> <\/p>

“I\u2019m telling it to them by example and now they actually want vegies with their food. When you\u2019re out for a barbecue it\u2019s not just a sausage. They want some fresh vegies on their plate .. I never thought it\u2019s going to be this easy!”<\/i><\/b> <\/p>

If you\u2019re a parent, carer or grandparent of a child aged 0 to 5 years of age looking to make healthy changes. Contact us<\/a> to find out if there are courses running in your area. <\/p>

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