There’s a lot we need to rethink about how we manage our kids’ eating habits. First off, we should probably cut down on buying junk food, limit sugar intake, and make sure they spend more time playing outside. But there’s something else that’s becoming more noticeable: we’re letting kids become picky eaters.
Let’s remember how things used to be: many of us grew up hearing about children in other parts of the world who didn’t have enough to eat, which certainly made us finish our meals without too much fuss. I even recall saving my birthday money once to donate because I felt sorry for kids who didn’t have enough food.
Back in my parents’ day, dinner was straightforward. You ate what was put in front of you. There wasn’t much room for complaining or being choosy. And while those meals weren’t always our favorites, we ate them anyway. It seems it taught many of us to be pretty competent adults, not to mention less picky about food today.
Nowadays, in the U.S., things have changed quite a bit. Children are often asked what they want for dinner, given options for snacks, and sometimes they aren’t even required to finish their meals before having dessert. This seems to be a trend wherever I go, with kids being given too much say in what they eat and when.
At a gathering I hosted not long ago, a group of kids were promised fruit salad if they ate their veggies. One child who didn’t eat his veggies got the fruit salad anyway because his parents gave in to his complaints. It showed me how much things have shifted and how some social principles from my childhood have been forgotten.
We seem to think toddlers and kids should be consulted about their meals, but they aren’t exactly the best judges of what’s nutritious or when they should eat, sleep, or bathe. Allowing kids to call the shots on something as important as nutrition doesn’t make much sense, especially when we don’t let them decide on other critical matters like attending school.
It might seem harsh or “mean” to set boundaries, but it’s crucial to prevent raising children who feel entitled and helpless. We probably wouldn’t tolerate an adult refusing a meal because they don’t like an ingredient, so why do we let kids do it?
Of course, there are exceptions, like allergies or special needs, which require more flexibility. But in general, children shouldn’t be taught to think they deserve special treatment all the time. Encouraging them to try new foods is part of their education in growing up healthy and grounded.
I’ve run into many cases of children who are obese or have health issues because they aren’t given proper food. After falling into this trap with my own child following bad advice, I realized the importance of guiding them towards healthy habits while they are young.
Changing your child from a picky eater to an adventurous one is possible. It may take some time, but it starts with us. We’ve got to provide tough love and teach them that nutrition is key and enjoying what we eat is secondary. They need to understand they can’t live off chicken nuggets and should embrace foods like brussels sprouts and beets.
In the end, if our kids grow up with poor eating habits, we have only ourselves to blame. So, let’s tackle the picky-eating epidemic today. We owe it to our kids to help them become healthy, balanced individuals. This doesn’t mean forcing them into rigid eating habits but rather encouraging them to try new foods while teaching them good manners and respect at the table. Let’s make meaningful mealtime guidelines, for a happier and healthier future.
