How do I talk to my child about food?
Parents play a crucial role in shaping children’s relationship with food and their body. In a society that often emphasizes weight and appearance, it’s essential to foster and model a relationship with food that prioritizes overall wellbeing rather than weight. So you may be asking, where do I start? This blog post will focus on 3 tips for approaching this topic with your child.
Focus on health rather than weight
Focusing on health rather than weight shifts the conversation towards promoting health over appearance. By introducing inclusive language that acknowledges and celebrates diverse body sizes and types, such as "all bodies are diverse and beautiful," we can help children develop a positive body image and reduce the potential for body dissatisfaction. By emphasizing health, we encourage children to make food choices based on nourishment and how it makes them feel, rather than solely focusing on appearance.
2. Avoid labeling foods as good or bad.
Moralizing foods by labeling them as "good" or "bad" can have detrimental effects on a child's relationship with food. Such labeling can create feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety surrounding certain food choices.Teaching children the importance of nourishing their bodies with a variety of foods can help foster a healthy attitude towards food and prevent the development of restrictive eating patterns or an unhealthy relationship with certain foods.
3. Trust how much your child chooses to eat
Placing rules around food consumption, such as insisting a child must finish everything on their plate, can disrupt their ability to recognize and respond to their internal hunger and fullness cues. It is important to empower your child to listen to their body and eat until they feel satisfied. By allowing children to self-regulate their food intake, they learn to trust their bodies. It is crucial not to comment on their intake if their plate isn’t clean or if they ask for more. Ellyn Satter, a dietitian and pioneer in child feeding, explains the roles a child and parent have during meal times to help guide the process – the parent is responsible for providing the meal and the child gets to decide whether and how much they eat.
When discussing food with your child, it is crucial to prioritize their overall health and well-being rather than weight or appearance. By focusing on health, avoiding moralizing language, and trusting your child's internal cues, you can help them develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. Remember, these conversations are ongoing and require patience, understanding, and modeling healthy behaviors. By laying a strong foundation early on, you can empower your child to make informed and mindful food choices that promote their well-being throughout their lives.