Dealing with eating habbits

[Inspired by Reggio]

So true Kidlove

There always seems to be 'one' in the group who tries to control their environment around food issues ~ but it does not work here.

In my home the children get to help plan the next weeks menu ~ so they do get a 'voice' in the menu planning and there is at least one snack, lunch and pm snack that they 'chose' in a given week ... however they have to choose a 'balanced plate' from a food group photos on my computer so it is helping them to learn to choose healthy options as well as instilling lessons on 'balanced eating' through hands on conversations that are NOT at meal time so more likely to be heard and retained.

At meal time everyone has to come keep each other company at the table ~ you do not have to eat but you do have to join us and be nice company while you are there ... having the picky eater 'seeing' others eating and enjoying the meal can be helpful in my experience at encouraging them to 'try' things that peers are eating ~ it takes away the 'fear' of different foods.

The first serving of foods is a 'small' portion of everything being served. If you want 'seconds' your plate must be empty first of that initial serving otherwise you are not truly 'hungry' for more food you are just 'wanting' more of one thing cause it is yummy and there is a difference ... IMO this encourages kids to not fill up on 'one thing' that is more palatable but eat the balanced plate and at least 'try' the thing they might not 'like' cause it is not an overpowering serving to finish ~ just three peas or whatever ... the more they try new things the more likely their palate will accept them the next time and overtime they will come to 'like' them.

I also equate healthy eating to other things children have challenges with specially when they are 'picky' eaters ... so when they want to climb to the top of the climber like the big kids I remind them 'that's what our healthy food helps us do ~ healthy food builds big muscles so we have energy to get that high' .... this has worked wonders on my most recent picky eater who joined me at 3 and was very 'frail' with no muscle tone and could not keep up with the other kids and was getting frustrated by that ~ she has since started eating meat and other things both here and at home ~ her parents have been amazed at her meal transformation .... they took her to McDonalds the other day and she said to them 'Reggio says we need to eat something healthy with this ~ I need a veggie and fruit to make it balanced so I grow big muscles ~ did you pack some mom?' ... the mother was floored cause this is a kid who previous only ate nuggets and fries or pizza with nothing on it and so forth.

BTW yes I do bring them to restaurants for a treat but the kids know I PACK additional fresh veggies and fruit from home to 'balance' the treat because most restaurants do not offer 'balanced' meals for children with their kids meals and this is something I instill even when having a 'treat' or 'celebration' that we still need to make healthy choices cause lets face it in our society were are always 'celebrating' something so best to teach them young that you can still celebrate and 'eat healthy choices'