How to Talk about Food

Questions are common when children are learning about food.

“What does it “How do “Where does it

“What is that?”
taste like?” I eat it?” come from?”

Children are curious about their world. When you respond to questions about food, focus on children’s interests and keep discussions
respectful. Use the ideas in the Consider… column of the chart below to guide your conversation. It is okay if you don’t have all the
answers. If you are in doubt, try the response, “What a great question! Let’s find the answer together.”

A note on nutrition: When talking about food with young children, describing the food and
building comfort is most helpful to their learning. Adults put thought into the foods they offer,
but at this age children struggle to understand concepts like health and nutrition.

When the child asks… Rather than… Consider…

Talking about nutrition, Describing it using your senses

“That is cabbage. Purple foods are good “That is cabbage. It is purple and
“What is that?”
for you.” crunchy.”

Pressuring the child to eat the food, Making the food familiar
“What does it “This is yogurt. You will like it.” “Yogurt can come in different flavours.
taste like?” This one is creamy like pudding and
tastes a bit tart – almost like a lemon.”

Dismissing the question, Offering choices

“You’ve had it before. You know how “That is roti, a type of bread. You can
“How do I eat it?” to eat it.” eat it by itself, dip it into your food, or
use it like a wrap. What sounds best to
you today?”

Testing the child’s knowledge, Learning what the child knows

“Where does it “Do you think they come from trees, “How do you think berries can grow?”
come from?” vines, or bushes?”

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