Keeping an eye on what your family eats doesn't have to be your job alone. Here's how to get your children involved in the smart shopping process.

1. Read Nutrition Labels

Look at the label instead of trusting healthy-sounding buzzwords. Just because an item claims to be gluten-free, vegan, all-natural or organic does not mean that it is healthy. Kids can also apply math skills by examining the serving size: “If this drink has 100 calories per serving, and there are three servings in the bottle, how many calories would it be if you drank this whole bottle?” Follow up with, “Do you think this is a healthy choice or a sometimes treat?”

2. Meet New Foods

Pique your child’s curiosity about different healthy foods and ask, “What kind of food do you think this is?” If neither of you knows, a quick internet search should tell you all about this mystery food. Then, brainstorm how you might use the item in a recipe!

3. Stick to a Budget

Use your shopping trip to teach other life skills, too, such as how to follow a list and shop on a budget. Discuss how much you plan to spend and strategies to stay within budget—coupons, sales, using a calculator, only buying items on the list. Offer a special reward when you succeed, such as stickers or a trip to the park!

Sarah McClafferty lives in Benton with her husband and two dogs. She works at Saline Memorial Hospital and will receive her master’s degree in clinical nutrition from UAMS in May 2016.