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Don't Pressure or Reward Your Child to Eat

 

Sometimes parents may push their child to eat even when their child is not interested in eating or is already full.

 

As a parent, you may worry your child is not eating enough, is too small for their age or that they are eating just a few foods. You may have even tried a variety of tricks to get your child to eat more:

·     Giving frequent reminders to eat more

·     Offering rewards or bribes for eating

·     Making special foods to tempt them

·     Allowing them to eat anything they want to make sure they eat something

·     Chasing after their child with a spoon to get them to eat

 

If you are using any of these tricks, mealtime may have become a big struggle.

 

It's Just Not worth It to Pressure Your Child to Eat

 

Studies show when parents push their child to eat certain foods, children will like those foods less. If you try to make your child eat, your child may develop negative feelings about food and eating. Your child will also discover how to use food as a weapon to get their way.

 

Rewarding or bribing children with dessert or a treat does not help either. It may encourage your child to eat the food once or twice, but it usually teaches your child to dislike the food because eating it deserves a reward.   

 

If you try to control how much your child eats, it can set the stage for both feeding and weight problems; your child may lose touch with their own inner signals of hunger and fullness.

 

What Can You Do?

 

·         Let your child decide whether they will eat or not, and how much they will eat

·         Serve nutritious foods in an attractive, simple way; leave it for a reasonable time (about 20-30 minutes) and then remove it without comment

·         Check out these success stories 

·         If you and your child struggle with feeding issues repeatedly, discuss the situation with your child's doctor or call EatRight Ontarioat 1-877-510-5102 to speak to a registered dietitian at no cost

 

To help encourage healthy eating habits for a lifetime, make eating a social and enjoyable time.