Food

                                          

            Food Or Fuel?

As parents we often worry about the eating habits of our children. Right from the
very beginning when they take their first feed be it from the breast or bottle we
twitch “Is it enough? Is he full?” Babies grow so quickly that it is possible to check weekly how well we are doing, as parents, by a visit to baby clinic to put junior on the scales. Unfortunately, after the first year this isn’t quite as easy because children’s growth slows down and they develop in other ways. So weighing isn’t the ideal indicator.

                                                                       

By the age of 18 months most children are well established at eating “family meals”. These meals may take the form of sandwiches or a full Sunday lunch right through to mild curries with Nan bread or Chapattis, even noodles and stir fried vegetables. Most toddlers are keen to try new foods and like to experiment. Others like to stick with the familiar and that is where problems can occur.

                                                                                                             

Do you have a toddler that will “only eat” cheese and ham? (substitute your child's food choice for cheese and ham) No matter what else you give your child they will only eat these two foods? This is where we parents have to turn into psychologists. But I’m not trained I hear you cry, don’t panic here’s the brief course.

             

            Toddler diet the facts

Food is essential for us, as human beings, to function. Food goes in the body turns it into fuel so we have the energy we need to fulfil our daily functions. Simple.

Ahh but in our society food is so much more. Do you remember, long ago, when you were dating? The new boyfriend would take the girl of his current dreams out for an evening. If the girl was lucky and new chap had saved up they went for a lovely romantic dinner. If not it was the pictures and a burger. Either way the subliminal message is that food = love.

When the boyfriend becomes the ex and the poor girl is distraught, (it’s never easy dumping chaps) the girls come round for a night in and out comes the ice-cream. Subliminal message food = comfort.

Do we see the pattern here, as we grow we learn that food is so much more than fuel, it is in fact a tool, we show others we love them by feeding them.

The problem is your toddler doesn’t know this.  Your toddler uses food as fuel so he can explore the world, learn 50 new words a day and play with his toys. Toddlers are very clever and quick to learn, they watch for reactions because that is what they want – attention. Attention can be positive; lots of stories, singing and smiles or it can be negative; No, Don’t, and Stop. The brain of a toddler doesn’t mind which sort of attention as long as it gets a response.

So how does this work with food? Little Jo knows food is important because you give it to her often and create a fuss if she doesn’t eat. Little Jo doesn’t know why food is important but she likes the reaction she gets when she doesn’t eat. So meal times go a little like this: “here’s our lunch Jo, it’s yummy pasta. Let’s sit down and eat it together.” Jo doesn’t eat, “Come on Jo this pasta is really yummy mmm.. eat some for mummy. Don’t you like it Jo? Mummy will put some cheese on for you, you’ll like that won’t you? Come on try just one piece…” and so it goes on. What a great deal of attention this child is getting. In the end mum gives in and feeds Jo cheese and ham.

The question you have to ask yourself is who is in charge here? The parent or the Child? This child has got her parents run ragged and worried sick. (sound familiar?) So what can be done?

Firstly take the emotion out of the situation. Yes you love your child and your child knows it. That is why he can use food as a tool to push your buttons. So remember Food = Fuel.

Ask yourself is my child growing? Check this by thinking do I need to get his hair cut? Or do her nails need cutting?

Make a diary of all the food your child eats throughout the day, then write down how much he actually eats. Remember your child's stomach is only the size of his fist, so little and often is quite often a good solution.

Whilst it’s frustrating when you’ve gone to a lot of effort does it really matter if your child eats cheese and ham for lunch every day if she is eating cereal at breakfast, fruit for her snack and toast for supper? She’s eating enough to grow and develop and that’s what s important.

We offer individualised, bespoke programmes to suit you and your lifestyle. With 15 years of successful experience working with children and families. For more information email me TODAY.

                     

                                                       

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