Aliza J. Sokolow is an award-winning food stylist and photographer who recently published her first book: This is What I Eat: Fun Activities for Mindful Eating. A bold and bright activity book for children, Aliza shares her love of fruits and vegetables for little foodies and picky eaters alike. We caught up with Aliza to talk about the importance of healthy diets in children and the fruit she is obsessed with!

When did your passion for food begin?

My passion for food began at a very young age — I was scrambling eggs and cooking with my grandmother around two!

How did you break into the world of food styling and photography?

My first job after graduating UC Berkeley with my degree in architecture was in the art department on a TV show where I would design the sets. On one particular show I had the honor of working with a variety of food stylists and quickly knew I had found my calling! Food styling is teeny tiny architecture, and your projects are usually completed by the end of the day! I love it.

How do your heritage and personal values inform the type of work you do?

I was raised Jewish and was taught the importance of acts of love and kindness, with a desire to repair the world. I have made it my mission to give back to communities, and have donated proceeds from my COVID baking project to a different charity (usually World Central Kitchen) each week since the pandemic began.

What's been your most rewarding professional moment to date?

Writing my book, This is What I Eat, which just came out. I had the incredible opportunity to work for Jamie Oliver on his Food Revolution TV show and it changed my life. I was able to work elbow-to-elbow with kids that had health issues from their diets and saw how making simple changes greatly affected their daily lives.

What inspired you to make a kid's book about food?

I love kids. You truly are what you eat. I wanted to create a book that would get both parents and kids to see eating healthy in a different light — through colors, shapes, sizes, and activities.

What was the most interesting thing you learned while writing the book, or a fun fact you'd like to share from it?

I’m obsessed with apples! There are over 7,500 different types! Something I am excited to share with my readers is all the different ways you can eat fruits and veggies, as well as all of the different types that exist.

Can you share a healthy eating tip or trick for parents and their little ones?

Chop it up! Make things easy for your kids to access. A great way is to make a snack board with options of different fruits and vegetables. Also, don’t make a separate meal for your kids. You are the boss… not your kids.