What Are We Feeding Our Families?Teaching Our Kids That Their Bodies Are Temples

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore honor God with your bodies.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

As parents, we think about so many things we are responsible for teaching our children.

We teach them to say please and thank you.We teach them to brush their teeth.We teach them to be kind.We teach them to pray.We teach them about Jesus.

But what about teaching them how to care for the body God gave them?

Our children are watching the choices we make every single day—including what we put on the table.

And while 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 isn't specifically a nutrition lesson, it gives us a beautiful biblical principle we can bring into our homes: our bodies belong to God, and caring for them is part of good stewardship.

Their Bodies Are a Gift From God

I want my children to understand something from an early age:

Your body is valuable because God created you.

Psalm 139:14 says:

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

That changes the conversation around food.

We aren't choosing nutritious foods because we need our children to look a certain way.

We aren't teaching healthy habits because certain foods make someone “good” or “bad.”

We are teaching our children that God gave them a body worth caring for.

Food gives their bodies energy to run and play. Protein helps support growing bodies. Fruits and vegetables provide important nutrients. Water keeps their bodies hydrated.

Food can also be something we enjoy together.

Birthday cake can be part of celebrating.

Pizza night can create memories.

Cookies with Grandma can be special.

This isn't about perfection. It's about learning balance and stewardship.

Right Now, We Help Make the Choices

One day, our children will decide for themselves what they eat.

But right now?

That's largely our responsibility.

We buy the groceries.

We decide what foods are available at home.

We pack the lunches.

We make dinner.

We establish many of the routines our children will grow up thinking are normal.

That's a big responsibility—but also an incredible opportunity.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us:

“Train up a child in the way he should go…”

We often think about this verse in relation to faith and character, but training happens throughout everyday family life.

We can teach our children:

“This food helps give your body energy.”

“Protein helps your body grow.”

“Let's drink some water because our bodies need it.”

“Let's thank God for giving us food.”

Over time, these little conversations become part of how our children understand caring for themselves.

Don't Just Tell Them. Show Them.

Our kids learn so much by watching us.

If I tell my children their bodies are worth caring for while constantly speaking negatively about my own body, what are they learning?

If I tell them to eat nourishing foods but never let them see me eat them, what message am I sending?

We don't need perfection.

We need consistency and example.

Let them see you drink water.

Let them help wash strawberries.

Let them crack the eggs.

Let them measure ingredients.

Let them push the button on the bread maker.

Talk about why different foods help our bodies.

And most importantly, teach them to thank God for providing the food in front of them.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” — 1 Corinthians 10:31

3 Easy Healthy Snacks Kids Will Actually Eat

1. Apple Nachos

You'll need:

• 1 apple

• 1–2 tablespoons peanut or sunflower-seed butter

• Plain or lightly sweetened Greek yogurt

• Cinnamon

• Optional: a few mini chocolate chips

Make it:

Slice the apple thinly and spread the slices across a plate. Drizzle with nut/seed butter and yogurt. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a few mini chocolate chips if you'd like.

Let the kids make their own!

2. Frozen Yogurt Berry Bites

You'll need:

• Greek yogurt

• Strawberries or blueberries

• A little honey, optional for children over age 1

• Crushed low-sugar granola, optional

Make it:

Spoon small amounts of yogurt onto a parchment-lined tray. Add berries and a little granola. Freeze until firm.

Keep them in the freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack.

3. Banana Peanut Butter Roll-Ups

You'll need:

• Whole-grain tortilla

• Peanut or sunflower-seed butter

• 1 banana

• Cinnamon

Make it:

Spread the tortilla with nut/seed butter, place the banana in the middle, sprinkle with cinnamon and roll it up.

Slice into little “sushi” pieces for younger kids.

A Simple Day of Family Meals

Healthy family meals don't need 15 ingredients or two hours in the kitchen.

BREAKFAST: Cheesy Egg & Toast Plate

Scramble eggs with a little shredded cheese.

Serve with:

• Homemade or whole-grain toast

• Strawberries or another fruit

• Greek yogurt

For younger children, cut everything into smaller portions and let them choose what to eat from their plate.

LUNCH: Easy Chicken Quesadillas

You'll need:

• Whole-grain tortillas

• Cooked shredded chicken

• Shredded cheese

• Optional finely chopped bell peppers

Put chicken and cheese inside a tortilla and cook in a skillet until the cheese melts.

Serve with avocado, fruit, cucumber slices or another familiar produce option.

DINNER: Build-Your-Own Taco Bowls

This is great for picky eaters because everyone gets to build their own bowl.

Put out:

• Seasoned lean ground beef, turkey or chicken

• Rice

• Black beans

• Shredded cheese

• Lettuce

• Tomato

• Avocado

• Corn

• Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

• Salsa

Kids don't have to eat every topping.

Let them build their own plate while continuing to offer different foods without pressure.

And Let's Talk About the Bread Maker!

If you have a bread maker collecting dust somewhere—pull that thing out!

Making bread at home can be such a fun family activity.

Your children can help pour in the ingredients, measure the flour and watch everything come together.

A simple bread can contain ingredients you recognize, such as:

• Flour

• Water or milk

• Yeast

• Olive oil or butter

• A small amount of salt

• A little honey

You can experiment with replacing some of the flour with whole-wheat flour for additional whole grains.

And there's something special about your children walking into the kitchen and smelling fresh bread that you made together.

Turn it into a faith moment.

While you're making the bread, talk about Jesus saying:

“I am the bread of life.” — John 6:35

Suddenly making a loaf of bread isn't just another kitchen task.

It becomes an opportunity to talk about Jesus.

That's what I Noah Mom is all about.

It Doesn't Have to Be Complicated

You don't have to completely overhaul your pantry tomorrow.

Start small.

Add fruit to breakfast.

Offer water more often.

Make one dinner at home instead of picking something up.

Let your child choose a vegetable at the grocery store.

Make homemade bread together.

Talk about what different foods do for their bodies.

And pray before you eat.

Because ultimately, we aren't trying to raise children who fear food.

We're trying to raise children who understand:

God created my body.

My body is worth caring for.

Food helps nourish the body God gave me.

And even something as ordinary as eating together can become an opportunity to glorify God.

A Family Question for Tonight

At dinner, ask everyone:

“What is one way we can thank God by taking care of the body He gave us?”

You may be surprised by what your children say.

Join the I Noah Mom Family

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Because faith starts at home—and the ordinary moments matter.