I’m thrilled to welcome back Melissa Kirdzik, my Weight-Loss Diary dietitian for Shape magazine. She tells me a client recently asked her a question that’s pretty common for a lot of us moms: “How can I get my child to stop eating so much junk food without seeming like I’m putting her on a diet?”
Melissa says: If your child is heading down a path of destructive eating, you want to avoid “diet lingo” and focus on developing a positive relationship with food. Talk to her about how the right foods will help her perform better, whether it’s in school or in sports. Try saying, “How about a banana and peanut butter so you aren’t starving way before lunch time? We can save the Pop Tart for the weekend.” One of my clients even used a little reverse psychology to get her little girl to start taking flax oil: “You must be sneaking my flaxseed oil into your yogurts because your hair is so shiny…you look like a princess.”
It’s also a good idea to include your children in meal planning, shopping and cooking to spike their interest in what’s going on the table. If you let your child pick which apple is going to be “theirs,” they’re more likely to eat it.
Older kids, especially high-school age, are known for their less-than-optimal food choices. Instead of making the discussion about weight, help her understand that sugary, processed foods can sap her energy and disrupt her concentration and sleep.
That’s great advice, Melissa. And I’ll add a bit more: Take a good look at your own eating habits. Are you relying on quick energy bursts from sugary, processed foods? Skipping breakfast and not fueling your body well throughout the day? Filling your kitchen with healthy food choices and occasional treats – and taking care of your body by eating well yourself – will make it easy to show your kids what healthy eating looks like. No “d” word required!
You're right about setting a good example! For teens one of the best ways is to be sneaky by discussing how various vitamins are good for the skin etc. Might as well appeal to the vanity :) If it works, it works!
Posted by: Sagan | 03/23/2009 at 08:04 PM
Thanks, Sagan :-).
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 03/25/2009 at 06:08 AM
When I was 12, my mother totally changed what we all ate. We started eating more vegetables and salads. She was pretty no nonsense about it. It wasn't because she was concerned about our weight (which wasn't a concern anyway), it was because it was better for us. Period.
By the way, this is a great blog. I heard about it from Melissa.
Posted by: Renata | 03/28/2009 at 09:56 PM
Welcome, Renata! I'm glad you stopped by. I like your mom's approach -- when it comes to healthy changes, no nonsense is the way to go!
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 03/29/2009 at 06:54 AM
I believe that 'healthy eating' is dieting without the label attached. The psychological reaction is exactly the same. It will drive your kids towards 'unhealthy' food and not away from it.
See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/kids/forbiddingfoods.shtml
Even though I don't agree with everything on this site - I do think it's a much needed and brilliant one.
Posted by: Sue Thomason | 04/02/2009 at 06:11 AM