Eating Habits
As a mother, I have learned that setting an example to a child is important because it reinforces the idea of values and it ultimately sets an example for your family.
The idea of mentoring and guiding to be a role model is a good concept to understand. An example is my daughter and her enjoyment in eating avocado, cooked spinach and hummus. Her love of food does not allow me to praise her by rewarding her with food. Why? Because at the end of the day Food is food; you want it to be just that. Allowing it to be more than it is will only be problematic.
Practical tips:
- Do not praise your child for eating a certain food.
- Do not negotiate, bribe, give positive or negative feedback about eating or not eating a food.
- Each child is born with the ability to regulate their own hunger and fullness (it is not until we get in the way and encourage one more bite or other "words of advice" that the confusion comes into play).
- Keep in mind that some days a person is just not into carrots (this is yourself also, right?). There is a certain mood and satisfaction factor that should be taken into account when selecting foods and how much to eat.
There are many ways to encourage an open mind when it comes to new foods.
- Make food visually appealing; add fruits and vegetables to provide color.
- Cook with flavor - add herbs and spices
- Experiment with texture (nuts, large grain salt, raw and cooked foods, soft and hard, etc.)
- Reintroduce foods that you are not familiar or originally did not like.
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Did You Know?
It takes much needed exposing (about 10 to 20 times) to have the taste for new foods. This is for everyone. Aren't there foods you eat now that you used to not eat? Keep in mind that trying a food multiple times, as well as multiple different ways of preparation may be the key.
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Graduates of 2014
I would like to congratulate our graduates of 2014. I commend you all for enduring the many years in school and I am proud for each and every one of you for the hard work!
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| Where is Kathryn this Month?
Kathryn spoke at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Food Labels, Meal Planning and Portion Sizes and is speaking in Amarillo to the advisory board of the DairyMax on An Intuitive Eating Experience.
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