How to foster a healthy relationship with food in our children
My one aim and goal in life is to try to ensure that my children grow up never stressing or anxious around food. It’s a big goal, and one that I can’t fully control. But if I can do everything within my power to ensure that my children (and the children around me) have a healthy relationship with food then I will feel successful.
So what is a healthy relationship with food?
A healthy relationship with food is one in which thoughts and feelings about food do not cause one pain or discomfort. Where food is supportive of physical health and there is an education and awareness around healthy eating habits which are flexible and balanced.
What is an unhealthy relationship with food?
Preoccupation with food e.g. always thinking about the next meal
The belief that less food = smaller body = increased health.
Overconsumption of discretionary foods, sweets, packaged foods and alcohol on regular occasions
An ‘all or nothing’ mindset either being healthy or not caring.
Only consuming ‘health’ foods
Not participating in social occasions fully due to food offered
Avoiding food groups when diagnosed allergy is not confirmed.
Children’s view of food and health is directly shaped by the culture and role models in which they are exposed to - us! As parents, we are the key influences that lay the foundation to a child’s view on health and food. Everything we do, say and eat is sending a message to their little brains.
So what message are you sending?
Below are some ways you can be aware of the message you are sending and the views you are help shaping within your children:
How do you speak about food? - Do you use the terms ‘good’ and ’bad’ foods e.g. ‘we can’t have too much chocolate or it’s bad for us’. Labelling food places morality on it, and adds emotions where they are unrequired.
How do you role model? - Do you eat a healthy balanced diet, or do you engage in dieting practices in front of your children e.g. cutting our carbs, not eating bread etc. Think about the message it sends when you serve your child a sandwich, and then sit down with a salad - Why is Mummy eating different to me?, Is Mummy eating a salad because that’s better then a sandwich? - while subliminal, all messages send shape the overall view that children form.
Do you use food as a reward? Are treats and sweet foods given as rewards in your house?, e.g. ‘If you do a wee on the toilet, you can have a chocolate’, ‘if you clean up your toys, you can have dessert tonight’. The messaging that is being sent here is - If I do something good, I receive something sweet. Good = sweet = feel good, and here we see the foundations of emotional eating.
These are some very small, seemingly in significant ways we all unknowingly are shaping our child’s view and attitude towards food.
There is no right and wrong way to parent your child, however it is important to educate yourself and give thought to the messaging you wish your child to receive in relation to food and health.
Re-evaluate your own behaviours within the home - do they align with your parenting values?
For more information on fostering a healthy relationship with food for your children reach out to us via email or DM us on Instagram @nicolegallpen_nutritionist
Can’t wait to hear from you!