What my children eat and how much they eat is a source of stress for me, as it is for many moms and caregivers. Both of my children (ages 3 and 1) have gone through periods where they don't eat much. It usually lasts for a week or so and then things go back to normal. For that week, I'm constantly worried about whether or not they are getting enough of what they need. But many dietitians follow the philosophy that children should eat when they are hungry and stop when they are satisfied. Instead of controlling portions (or forcing them to eat just because it seems like they should), the idea is that they need to learn to regulate their own appetites. Recently we took a 5-day trip to visit family. I thought sleep would be our biggest problem, but it was actually food. Things that they normally eat without a problem were suddenly unacceptable. I think it was just because they were out of their normal routine, but nonetheless it was very stressful for me. My husband said I just needed to relax and eventually things would get back to normal. Of course, he was right. Ellyn Satter is a registered dietitian who is an expert on children and eating. My co-worker (who is also a nutrition expert) gave me her book "Child of Mine; Feeding With Love and Good Sense" before I had my first child. It's a book I still refer to years later. Satter's philosophy is that "parents should be in charge of what to eat, when to eat and where to eat. Kids, meanwhile, should be in charge of how much to eat - or whether to eat at all at that particular meal." According to Satter, "If a robust child's hearty appetite is restricted, that child may become preoccupied with food and tend to overeat or hoard food, given the chance. Conversely, children who have food pushed on them may become turned off by it and undereat when they get the chance." My daughter is a much better eater overall than my son. He's picky and even though I try to offer a wide variety of vegetables, he'd be happy if he only had to eat carrots and sweet potatoes for the rest of his life. I am not a member of the "clean plate club", and if my kids are full they are allowed to stop eating- with the understanding that they won't be getting a snack an hour later. If they are extra hungry and want more, that's okay too. I think I am a little controlling when it comes to what they eat and making sure they always get enough of the healthy stuff. But I try not to label foods as "bad", since a wide variety of foods have a place in a healthy diet. Is your child's appetite a source of stress in your household- whether it's eating too much or eating too little? How do you handle it? Do you agree that it's better to let kids be in charge of how much they eat? |
More From SparkPeople |
