By Aleksandra Vayntraub // SWNS
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC
More than half of moms use snack time to show off what a “cool” mom they are, new research suggests.
A recent survey asked 2,000 American moms with children ages 3–18 to identify the traits of a “cool” mom — and then asked their 6-and-older kids to set the record straight.
While half of moms said getting kids to enjoy eating healthy foods is what gives them the “cool” factor, nearly three in five kids agreed a “cool” mom helps them out with homework/projects for school.
Still, 47% of moms worry about whether their kids think they’re cool — and according to kids, there are some things a “cool” mom should not do.
For example, using their home nickname in front of their friends (42%), shouting their name at a sports game or other event (40%) and dancing in public (40%) all leave kids shaking their heads.
Conducted by OnePoll in partnership with SUNSET, the study also revealed eating healthy snacks leaves kids feeling much more energized than unhealthy ones, according to moms (78% vs 52%).
Although getting kids to make healthy food choices can be a challenge, moms have a few tricks up their sleeves, such as cutting up fruits and vegetables into fun shapes (48%) and making their food more colorful (47%).
Half of moms have made a cheese board for their children, and more than half admitted that their youngsters eat more sophisticated snacks and lunches than they do.
Moms also shared the secrets behind their greatest ever snack hacks, including blending frozen fruit so kids think it’s ice cream, building a stackable tower with sticks of watermelon and even making sandwich kabobs.
Snacks and lunches can be a bragging point for kids, too — especially those that include chips (50%), baked goods (44%) or a fruit bowl (44%).
“Our study shows moms are good at navigating that balance between giving kids the foods they enjoy and making sure they’re getting a balanced diet,” said a spokesperson for SUNSET. “They’re introducing their youngsters to fruits and veggies in creative ways and incorporating them not just at lunchtime, but throughout the day as well.”
For snacks during playdates, moms commonly pack fruit (62%), chips (53%) and veggies (46%).
At the same time more than half of moms wish their kids ate more cucumbers, and half want berries to play a bigger role in their children’s diet.
“Making healthy snacks or lunches can be a great opportunity for parents and kids to bond, as well as to introduce kids to new fruits or veggies,” the spokesperson added. “Finding veggies that have kid-appeal, like our Sprinkles micro tomatoes, can help with incorporating healthy snacks into kids’ diets without sacrificing on the fun-factor.”
MOMS’ GREATEST SNACK HACKS FOR THEIR KIDS
- “Kiwi caterpillars.”
- “Blending frozen fruit so they think it’s ice cream.”
- “Freezing bone broth in small cubes for winter soups or drinks.”
- “Making grab bags that they can’t see inside of and letting them choose their own bags, so every snack is a surprise.”
- “Sandwich kabobs.”
- “I make [squash] look and taste almost like mac n’ cheese to trick her into eating a veggie she doesn’t like.”
- “Jello with fruit mixed in and then poured into cool molds in different kinds of shapes like cars, houses, bears, etc.”
- “Making pumpkin pancakes with beets and other pureed vegetables, but with fun colors.”
- “Building a Jenga stack with watermelon.”
- “Playing ‘restaurant’ during lunch.”
- “Saying something is a ‘grown-up version’ and they want it. Or something ‘new’ they get excited to try.”