Tired Parents Need Not Fret—Fickle Food Habits May Just Be a Phase

By Lauren Anderson

    You’ve been at work for eight hours and that’s not counting your commute, which makes nine. Then add to that picking up the carpool before school and swinging by the end of your son’s baseball game on your way home to catch the final few innings. Once home, it’s hard enough to come up with a meal that hits all the healthy food groups, is quick and simple to make and feeds your little one’s fickle pallet. It’s understandable why so many parents are frustrated by finicky eaters—or worse, those who choose not to eat at all.

    Anyone who has spent mealtime with a child knows what a challenge it is and most parents find themselves facing the same “catch 22”—struggle with your children and force them to eat something they say they don’t like; make them something new; or say take it or leave it and run the risk of them not eating much for dinner. A new booklet available from the nonprofit group Zero to Three (zerotothree.org) discuses healthy eating for children and is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Julie Lumeng of the University of Michigan’s Department of Pediatrics and Center for Human Growth and Development contributed to the booklet that includes some of the following no-nos.

No force-feeding. According to Lumeng, kids must learn to stop eating when they’re full. Forcing them to down their veggies or meatloaf greatly contradicts that message.

No food rewards (i.e., if you behave in church, we’ll take you to get ice cream). Deal making teaches kids not to do anything unless there’s a reward.

No bans. Banning food makes it more desirable. Encourage moderation instead.

No do-overs. Making separate dishes for each member of the family is not only stressful for you as a parent, but it also encourages your child to be finicky. A better solution is to trade off likes and dislikes for each child.