While sharing our area newsletter, Bert pointed out this article about teaching children healthy eating habits. It reminded me that children are little repositories of all we say and do.

Things Parents and Grandparents Say That Can Cause Eating and Weight Problems with our Children

1. You are such a good eater!

   Children want nothing more than to please their parents. While mealtime should be a pleasant time to connect with your children, eating should remain intrinsically driven to meet your child’s fuel needs, NOT to earn your praise.
   Say instead: You must have been really hungry today! Or, I love spending time with you while we have dinner.

2. Clean your plate; there are starving children in _________ .

   Avoid teaching children scarcity eating behaviors in our plentiful food environment.
   Say instead: It’s important not to be wasteful, so please only take as much as you think you need. Or, If you’re full, we can save the rest for later.

3. You have to eat all your vegetables or there will be no dessert.

   Kids are smart. When you bribe them for eating certain foods, they quickly realize that those foods must be yucky and that dessert is the reward. They also learn to hold out until a reward is offered.
   Say instead: I love all kinds of different foods–some that will make me healthy and strong and some that are just for fun. What kinds of foods do you like? Or, Enjoy your dinner. We’ll be having dessert in a couple of hours.

Do you have something to add? What do you tell your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, students, or any children with whom you come into contact? We’d love to hear your good ideas!