Nutrition Specialist and Sustainable Living Activist Dilara Koçak, one of the consultants of the “Smart Child Table” project implemented by Banvit BRF, shared suggestions on what to consider when preparing children's food and how to prevent food waste.
Focusing on proper nutrition and prevention of food waste in its social investments, Banvit BRF continues its efforts to raise awareness and raise public awareness within the scope of the Smart Children's Table (MCH) project, which it has implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education. Nutrition Specialist, Sustainable Living Activist Dilara Koçak, one of the MCH Consultants, shared her tips on reducing food waste.
Koçak “When are the children fed?” In his article titled, he stated that it should not be forgotten that children are also individuals and that there may be alternatives they like or dislike, and said:
“Don't turn mealtimes into war, don't be a winner or a loser. Note that this also significantly affects food waste. Do not force your children to eat, trust your child, he can decide how much food he wants to eat, the child's food choice may be different every day, one day he may be overly hungry and the next day he may not be interested in any food. It may be the parents' decision as to which food is cooked and when, but how much food is your child's decision. Children don't die of hunger when they eat 1 or 2 meals incomplete, so don't feel guilty about it. Instead of begging or giving rewards to your child, offer new foods and be patient. Make sure that the choices you offer are from the same group. You can offer a pea or spinach alternative, but if you say peas or pudding, the winner will most likely be dessert.”
Emphasizing the importance of having balanced choices and alternatives in the kitchen, Koçak said that 5 food groups (1- Milk / yoghurt, 2- Meat / fish / chicken, 3- Bread / rice / pasta / soup 4- Vegetables and 5- Fruits) should be consumed every day. He also pointed out the need and made recommendations. Koçak said, “Add legumes such as chickpeas or kidney beans to the nutrition plan for 1-2 days, cook them with ground beef or chicken, and provide the balance of vegetable and animal protein. As much as possible, give milk, yogurt and fruit separately, but if your child likes to eat these foods together, you can prepare a fruit milk or fruit yogurt mix. Give the vegetables one by one so that they can distinguish the flavors, but if they are difficult to eat, use them in soups. Especially if you decorate the plates with colorful vegetables, their consumption will be more enjoyable.” said.
Evaluating the issue also in terms of food waste, Koçak noted that everyone has a duty within the framework of the principle of "Save the food and take care of your table" and shared the 9 important tips determined by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO to reduce food waste.
“Ask for smaller portions – When starting a meal, make sure that you do not take more food on your plate than you can consume.
Evaluate the remainder – Instead of throwing away leftovers, use them as ingredients for the next day's cooking.
Shop smart – To avoid over shopping, make a shopping list in advance and be careful not to go shopping when you are hungry.
Give the vegetables and fruits that don't look perfect a chance – Do not separate vegetables and fruits as beautiful or ugly, buy consumable vegetables and fruits in order not to waste food.
Check refrigerator temperature – To keep your food fresh for a long time, keep it in the refrigerator and set the refrigerator to the right temperature (between 1 and 5 degrees). Do not overfill the refrigerator.
Follow the “first in, first out” rule in the kitchen – When you return from shopping, change the places of foods in refrigerators and cabinets. Take care to consume them first, as the foods you have taken before have a shorter shelf life.
Learn to read labels – Examine the dates on the foods, such as the expiration date, the recommended consumption date. While it is not safe to consume a food that has passed its expiry date, you can consume a food that has passed the recommended consumption date if it still has its old characteristics.
Turn waste into fertilizer – Evaluate the waste that will not be consumed, try to make compost.
Share your food – Sharing is caring; Share what is more than you need with those who need it. You can benefit from food banking in this regard.”