Blending food with family life
- Schedule meals and snacks. Avoid casual snacking that can lead to weight problems.
- Eliminate interference. Turn the television off during meals.
- Create a pleasant atmosphere for eating. Include everyone in the conversation.
- Practice good table manners. Compliment children when they do it right, rather than
nagging them about mistakes. Thank the cook(s) before being excused.
- Eat the same food the children eat, unless there is a reason why you
can't. Explain
the reason to the children.
- Prepare and serve a variety of foods that look and taste good.
- Be aware of portion sizes. Give children small portions, and assure them they can have
more if they want.
- No one needs to finish everything on his or her plate. Allow children to choose what and
how much to eat. Respect individual taste preferences. Restricting favorite foods can
cause anxiety and lead to overeating if the child fears being deprived of the food.
- Place no special merit on the dessert. Dessert is not a reward for eating
"what's good for you."
- Sit down and eat with children. You can't be a role model if you aren't there.
Published: March 22, 2002
Source: Baptist Wellness Complex, Garden of Eating
Writer:
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