Parents always tell their children not to play with their food, and with good reason. But could a bingo game help put a bit more fun into eating healthy?

Science shows that kids are hardwired to love sweets, and to hate anything sour or bitter, so vegetables, with their bitter or otherwise bland taste, are often pushed to the sides of a plate or ignored altogether. The struggle to get kids to eat more greens is universal – something all parents struggle with for years at a time.

But everyone knows that you outgrow that sweet tooth after a while, and vegetables start to become more appealing as you gain a better understanding of nutrition and health. Still, eating the same kind of salads and vegetables can be dull and boring. Luckily, though, a game of bingo can help solve all your problems.

Bingo has always been a popular pastime, and you may have found yourself playing a game or two online, what with its recent resurgence. The BBC reports that in 2004, there were as little as 25 online bingo halls, and by 2012 there were over 350, so its popularity is undeniable. What makes the game so appealing, however, is its versatility, as even supermarket chain Iceland Foods has been able to release its own version of the game on bingoiceland.com. It’s also been used for healthy causes, as the UK’s Food Standards Agency uses a game called Eatwell Bingo to promote better eating choices to the public.

You can use bingo to add a bit of variety to your lunches and healthy snacks too. Simple go online to find a bingo card creator, and make a list of five of the following: Vegetable 1, Vegetable 2, Vegetable 3, Protein, and Dressing. You can substitute one of the columns for Vegetables for Fruits if you want.

Create the bingo card with one column for each category, or use the bingo card creator to generate multiple cards with the same items. Number each of the items in each column 1-5, and when you’re ready to play, roll a die. The number you roll corresponds to which item you’re using in your salad, and if you happen to roll a 6, then you’re free to pick whichever item you want to use.

Let’s Chat

What are some creative things you have done with your kids to help introduce them to new foods?