By JASON CARSON
Instilling good eating habits in children may not be as difficult as some people think.
Experts say example, trust and a little extra time can have a big influence on the development of these habits.
Lora Beth Brown, associate professor of food science and nutrition said people grow up eating the way their parents and others in their culture eat.
“Good habits about eating will come about indirectly,” Brown said. “The most important thing is example.”
Jennifer Watson, director of the American Fork Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Clinic, said, “If (parents) aren’t eating properly, then it’s hard to get the kids to eat properly.”
Brown said because eating is largely social, children will be influenced by the preferences of friends and acquaintances in their social circles.
However, she said, even with the amounts of peer pressure in children’s lives, “It’s the home that really makes the difference.”
Next to example, Brown said trust is an important factor.
“Modern society has made feeding kids a big issue,” she said.
Many parents worry about their children being overweight, and they emphasize food too much, she said.
Food often becomes an obsession for such children.
Brown said all children go through growth spurts and periods where they want different kinds of foods.
She said however, there is no reason to worry if the child is active and growing at a normal rate.
“We have to have the confidence to let the child’s body turn out how it will turn out,” she said.
Kids are going to eat what they need, Watson said. When too much emphasis is placed on eating, they may develop disorders later.
Alvin Price, professor of family science, said many people are more concerned with a child finishing a plate of food than eating right.
Price said a more healthy approach may be for parents to leave some food on their plates. He said this sends a message to children that its alright not to finish all their food if they are no longer hungry.
He said the problem oftentimes, is that a child does not want to eat a particular food. It is these times that a little extra time and creativity can be helpful, he said.
Many times parents will cook all the taste out of good foods, like vegetables, Price said. Cooking the foods properly, with vinegar or spices, may make the foods more appetizing to the child, he said.
Watson suggested that parents allow their children to choose out new fruits or vegetables at the grocery store.
Brown encouraged parents to provide good food for the child to choose from, without completely eliminating the fun foods from the cupboard.
Price also suggested singing fun songs or playing games that teach children about healthy foods. This may make the experience more exciting for the child.
Price said, “Children need to eat between meals. If they don’t, then they’re famished at meal times and eat too much.”
Brown said anticipating these snacking times and planning more structured snacks between meals can create a healthier experience for the child.
“If you ate just a little bit five or six times a day, your stomach is littler,” Price said. “And you can’t get fat doin’ that.”
