Nutrition:
Working to Change Attitudes Towards Food
How many
times have you heard the words, “I don’t like that”
or “I’m
not eating that” uttered
from a young child at meal or snack times?
Probably repeatedly—and some caregivers hear these
words on a daily basis! Most parents and child care providers
can identify with caring for children who are very particular
about the foods they will eat.
In addition to hearing
“I’m not eating that” from time to time, caregivers
also may find small mounds of untouched foods left on
children’s plates after a meal.
Although children’s food choices can sometimes
discourage parents and caregivers, there are lots of ways to
influence children’s eating behaviors and help children to
make good nutritional choices for themselves.
BE A
ROLE MODEL FOR GOOD NUTRITION.
Children love to imitate the adults in their lives, and
food choice is no exception.
Eat what you ask children to eat.
Make and eat healthy snacks with children. Talk about the nutritional value of the healthy food you’re
eating in words that young children will understand.
OFFER
NEW FOODS MANY TIMES. Children
can be wholly unexcited about a new food offered to them.
Accept this, and offer that particular food to the child
many more times. Allow the child to say no, but encourage him or her to try
it. Parents and caregivers often must introduce a new food many
times before a child is comfortable enough to try it.
LET
CHILDREN HELP PLAN MEALS
AND SNACKS. Allowing children to voice their opinions about the kinds of foods they
would choose for mealtimes opens the door for communication
about differences among foods, what
foods do for our bodies, and why we choose certain foods
over others for our mealtimes. Children will feel a sense of
accomplishment at helping to plan a family meal or a child care
center snack.
BE
CREATIVE.
Let children
create a new snack from a few healthy ingredients offered to
them. Invite
children to bring in family recipes to make and share with
classmates.
Remember
that mealtimes with young children should be stress-free.
If mealtimes at home or at the child care center have
turned into battlegrounds over foods, parents and caregivers can
seize the opportunity to transform the mealtime atmosphere.
The change may be gradual, but there are great benefits
in an effort to turn the mealtime atmosphere from one that is
nerve-wracking and tense into one that is more relaxed and
enjoyable for all.
WCCIP
• 2109 S. Stoughton Road, Madison WI 53716 •
Ph 800.366.3556
•
Fx 608.224.6178
