A continuation of my interview with holistic nutritionists Irene Swedak, Sunita Mohan and Christine Sachse, authors of the wonderfully delectable cookbook, Feed Me...I'm Hungry!
What's one thing all parents should know about kids and food that they may not?
Eating is a sensory adventure, invoking our senses of taste, smell, texture, appearance and even sound. We subconsciously record our early sensory experiences with food. We also associate our food experiences with life events. For example, if meal times are structured and comforting, we form positive associations with the food eaten and the environment. However, if mealtimes frequently involve power-struggles, hurried schedules and lack routine, we develop negative associations with the food, the meal, the cooking, or all of the above.
It is worth the effort of making family meal times a relaxed and enjoyable event. (writer's note: Bon Appetit Editor in Chief Barbara Fairchild also offered the same message to North American families in a recent interview with Food Trends on suite101).
Jane Kauer, PhD, an anthropologist from the University of Pennsylvania, studies “picky eaters” and concludes that although pickiness is partly due to evolution, it is equally due to the breakdown of the social setting of mealtimes in Western society.
As parents, we set the stage, providing ingredients, and social constructs. Older children can help with preparation, setting the table, or entertaining younger siblings while you assemble meals. Your goal is to do this at least once per day for either breakfast or dinner. This is one of the most challenging jobs for parents to complete without utter chaos. Don’t give up – stand your ground. Remember that you are teaching your child the values of closeness, communication, routine and stability. Viewed in this way, eating becomes fuel for the mind as well as the body.
How much "junk" food it too much?
There are wonderful healthy options for kids to eat that really are delicious. If your child likes sweets, serve them a homemade pudding made from soy milk, that way at least you know they are getting calcium. If they like salty, try some homemade sweet potato French fries. However, we realize from a more practical perspective we would highly recommend that there be no junk served in the house and that it be saved for truly special occasions outside of the house such as birthday parties, Halloween etc.
We believe children should not be eating “junk” food. We believe that if you have healthy snacks in your home your children will only be exposed to those kinds of treats. When they are given “junk food” they will most likely refuse it, because their taste buds have been developed differently since they started eating.
Happy eating everyone! In my next posting, I'll be offering you a couple of Feed Me...I'm Hungry! recipes for your family to enjoy together, thanks to Irene, Sunita and Christine.
