The Effect of Creative Nutritional Meals on Achieving a Balanced and Sufficient Nutritional Habit

School-age is the period in which children's physical, social, emotional, mental, and aesthetic development is experienced most intensely. In particular, a balanced and healthy diet is essential for growth and development. The inability of children to get enough of these essential nutrients will negatively affect both their growth and development and their academic success. During this period when basic habits are acquired, it is a big problem for students to choose food, not to eat the food they need, or to eat one type and with excessive portions. According to preservice teachers, it was investigated what aesthetic and attractive forms can be used to increase the taste of a standard nutritious meal, make it healthier, and ensure its consumption. The study tried to determine the predictions of Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGÜ) senior class preservice primary teachers on creative nutrition meals in the 2019-2020 academic year. According to the research findings, preservice teachers think that for students to eat their nutritional meals, these meals should be given by using more popular meals, while the items in the mandatory food group should be creatively prepared. They also think that to make the nutrients attractive, they should combine creative/aesthetic forms using items that attract the child's interest.