When I grew up there wasn't a choice of food at dinnertime. Whatever mom fixed is what we ate. Should today's kids be treated the same way?
Most pediatricians say it's okay for parents to say no to certain food requests and that eventually a child will eat because he or she becomes hungry. Other experts say it's important not to indulge poor nutritional habits, by allowing only high-fat foods at dinnertime. There needs to be some variety so that your youngster gets the proper nutrients.
But getting them to try something that isn't a hit dog or a chicken finger is another story. Right?
What i've found is that offering my son Nicholas a choice of food has helped him to know what is healthy food and what isn't. All of a sudden he's is choosing broccoli over French fries for dinner. Not just because he likes broccoli, but he knows it's good for him.
Given the alarming rise of childhood obesity and eating disorders in the U.S., most experts say it's important to give a child some element of control over his or her food intake.
So the next time they want mac-and-cheese, serve something that they may not be necessarily crazy about, and request that they give it a try anyway. Hopefully something that's not appealing now, will become tasty in the future - like broccoli.
Bon appetite!
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