4 Common Eating Behaviors from Children… And How To Respond
Do you ever wonder "how can I help my kids enjoy a variety of foods?"
One minute they enjoy what is served, next they don't even want it on their plate. Does the "one bite" rule work? What do I do if they don't want food served? Or if they eat a lot of only one food served?
Below are four common behaviors you may see from your children at the table.
Foods offered multiple times without child eating
Child eating more than you can imagine or almost nothing
Child enjoying a food and then not wanting that food next time offered
Child eating only one food offered
When you encounter such behavior, what should you do?
Ellyn Satter, dietitian and child feeding specialist, suggests this simple solution: Continue to follow your role as a parent.
As parents you provide what, when, and where foods are offered. That is enough to take care of! Relax and let your child do the rest. The child gets to decide if and how much he or she will eat. Unfortunately, that means all of the above will likely happen. The good news is that it's normal but it won't last.
Naturally, parents want their children to have a well-rounded diet and grow properly. But if you go outside of your responsibilities it could result in issues such as picky eating, power struggles, and decline in growth, among others.
Think of it this way: if you had a guest over for dinner (an adult), would you say "Slow down on the mashed potatoes, eat some broccoli." I know I would not! Then we shouldn't say it to our kids, any pressure (to eat more or less) will result in the opposite.
Pressure is not always easy to detect. It can be positive such as rewards ("You can have dessert if you try your broccoli."). Or it can be negative such as guilt or comparison ("I worked so hard to make this meal for you") ("Why can't you try a bite like your brother.")
It is challenging to offer food multiple times without your child showing interest and or rejecting it. Obviously, it results in some wasted food but ultimately it can be hurtful and frustrating to the parent who prepared the food.
In summary, remember the four behaviors listed above or others will disappear with your proper response. What is your proper response? Only provide food. Only look at your plate if that helps you avoid subtle pressure. Lastly, be patient as these behaviors will not disappear overnight or even in weeks.
As always, if you could use guidance with family or child nutrition, don’t hesitate to CONTACT ME.
I’m here to help.
