| There are many important things that we need to | | | | Everyone tastes two bites of everything; if they still |
| teach children as they grow-but they have many | | | | don't like it, they don't have to eat it-but they have |
| natural behaviors that we shouldn't try to change. In | | | | to try it again the next time we have it. Since that is |
| fact, we could learn a few things from kids! Here are | | | | "The Rule," there are no battles at the table and the |
| some important lessons: | | | | kids often surprise themselves by liking something |
| Eat when you are hungry. From the time they are | | | | they thought they wouldn't. (And we never say "I |
| born, babies know when and how much they need | | | | told you so!") |
| to eat-and they cry to let us know too! As they | | | | Follow the leader. Face it, kids watch, and often |
| grow, this important instinct can be un-learned. By the | | | | imitate, everything we do. If they observe us eating |
| time they are adults, they may have learned to eat | | | | a variety of healthful foods and exercising regularly, |
| for many other reasons besides hunger-mealtimes, | | | | then they will learn to take good care of their bodies. |
| tempting food, stress, anger, boredom, and countless | | | | Likewise, if they don't hear us making comments like |
| other triggers. By recognizing the difference between | | | | "I am so fat" and "she looks fat" then they are less |
| needing to eat and wanting to eat, adults can re-learn | | | | likely to suffer from poor self-esteem and a |
| when and how much to eat too. | | | | judgmental attitude. |
| Stop eating when you are full. An infant will turn their | | | | There is more to a party than cake and ice cream! |
| head away when they have had enough to eat, and | | | | Invite a child to a party and they'll want to know |
| a toddler will throw a plate of food on the floor | | | | what they are going to get to do. Invite an adult and |
| when they are done. But as adults, we clean our | | | | they'll wonder what food will be served. You don't |
| plates because "there are starving children" | | | | have to avoid parties to keep your weight down; |
| somewhere-or just because something tastes good. I | | | | just focus on the real purpose of social events-to be |
| am not suggesting that we start throwing our plates | | | | social! |
| on the floor again, but we need to remember that | | | | Eating with your family is fun. Since babies and |
| food is abundant in our society so there is no need | | | | toddlers must be fed by their parents, they naturally |
| to eat it all now. | | | | love eating with other people. Family mealtime is your |
| Being hungry makes you grouchy. Being hungry, tired, | | | | opportunity to model good habits and connect with |
| or frustrated make children-and adults-crabby! | | | | each other. Now that our kids are older, we |
| Starving yourself because you are too busy to eat | | | | sometimes play "High-Low" at dinner. Each member |
| or because you are trying to lose weight usually | | | | of the family takes a turn telling the others about the |
| backfires. | | | | best and worst parts of their day. What a door |
| Snacks are good. Kids naturally prefer to eat smaller | | | | opener! |
| meals with snacks in between whenever they get | | | | It's boring to just sit around! Toddlers seem to be in |
| hungry. That pattern of eating keeps their energy | | | | perpetual motion as they explore their world. Young |
| level and metabolism stoked all day. Adults who need | | | | kids love to run in the grass, play on the playground, |
| to fire up their metabolism should try this too. | | | | and challenge themselves and each other to |
| Play with your food. Most kids love to examine, smell, | | | | increasingly more difficult activities. Of course, as |
| and touch their food. Since eating is a total sensory | | | | they get older, television, computers, and electronic |
| experience, they get the most from every morsel. | | | | games compete for their attention. In our family, to |
| This childlike approach will help you eat less food | | | | encourage other activities, we use "screen time" |
| while enjoying it more. You'll appreciate the aroma, | | | | which limits how much time our children are allowed |
| appearance, and flavors more if you aren't driving, | | | | to spend on anything with a screen. Sometimes |
| watching T.V., or standing in the kitchen! | | | | adults would benefit by limiting their screen time and |
| All foods fit. Children are born with a natural | | | | exploring their world a little more! |
| preference for sweet and higher fat flavors. Though | | | | Sleep is good. After a full day, children need a good |
| parents sometimes worry, these "fun" foods can be | | | | night's sleep to prepare for all of the adventures that |
| part of a healthy diet. In fact, overly restrictive food | | | | tomorrow will hold. Wouldn't we all benefit from a |
| rules usually lead to rebellious eating anyway-just | | | | consistent bedtime to make sure we get our rest |
| think about the last time you weren't "allowed" to | | | | too? |
| eat something on a diet! Children and adults both eat | | | | Live in the moment. Kids are masters at living in the |
| healthier when they learn to enjoy these less | | | | present. They don't waste a lot of energy worrying |
| nutritious foods in moderation. | | | | about what has already happened or what might |
| Be a picky eater. Kids won't easily eat something | | | | happen tomorrow. They are fully engaged in small |
| they don't like. Think of how much less food you | | | | pursuits like discovering where the ants are going, |
| would eat if you didn't settle for food that tasted | | | | chasing the dog, or seeing how deep they can dig |
| "so-so." | | | | with a plastic shovel. We, on the other hand, continue |
| You can learn to like new foods. Healthy eating is an | | | | to scurry around, chasing after our dreams, and all |
| acquired taste. Good nutrition is essential, so providing | | | | the while, digging ourselves deeper and deeper. We |
| a variety of appealing, healthful foods will benefit the | | | | could learn a lot from children! |
| whole family. In our house, we have a two-bite rule. | | | | |