We live in a difficult food environment to raise children. With so many extreme health beliefs circulating, it is a challenge to encourage healthy eating without contributing to an eating disorder.
On a recent trip to the grocery store with my four-year old, a lady was offering free samples of ice cream, to which my daughter replied, “I only want a small scoop because we are having a yummy dessert later.”
This was true, but I was shocked. Should I feel proud of her act of moderation or panicked that my little girl was already imitating my behavior?
I was reminded how quickly children can pick up on comments about dieting concepts that may seem harmless, such as not eating too much sugar. However, these innocent comments can be taken to heart, and as they become adolescents with weight concerns, these ideas about foods and dieting can spark trouble and contribute to disordered eating behaviours. So how can we promote a healthy relationship with food for our children?
• Avoid any negative statements about food, weight, body size or shape.
• Remember your role as a parent is to offer a variety of foods at regular times, but it is your child’s decision on how much or whether she eats those foods. Avoid power struggles at mealtimes.
• Model healthy eating and positive body image.
• With adolescents, make sure they understand that weight gain is a normal part of development, especially during puberty.
• Compliment your child on her or his talents, accomplishments, and personal values.
• Teach your child media savvy. Discuss unrealistic media images you see on television, computers or magazines. Challenge extreme diet beliefs (ex: carbohydrates are bad for you). Remember, children are still growing and require lots of nutrition to stay healthy.