Let Kids Choose To Eat Healthy Foods

James Weiselman Schulman CHEF DADDY

As we try to feed our family in a healthful way, it can often be a struggle get the kids (and sometimes the spouse) to play along. As I’ve mentioned (here), we are all too often put in the position of either being the taskmaster and giving no choices (Soup Nazi) or quickly becoming a short order cook and making each person their own dinner. Neither ends up a winning solution.

I just read this piece by Brian Wansick about the LA schools and the troubles they’re having as they update their menu. The issue at hand, according to Wansick, is that when you remove choice, you are setting yourself up for failure. Give a kid a salad and they won’t touch it. Let them choose between carrots and celery and they often happily tuck in, sometimes choosing both.

As parents, we can use this same strategy to guide our families to better eating. Give kids choices, which empower them, but make the options good ones so everyone wins.

When making salads, go salad bar style – let them choose which items they want in or out. It’s no more work, but allows them to customize a bit.

When the choice is between items that are healthy, the eating threats we often resort to go away. How often have we all said, “you can have dessert after you finish your…”? Give them a choice and they might actually enjoy it – “before dessert you can choose either broccoli or cucumbers, your choice.” Hey, this might even work on the husband, too.

Lastly, by asking rather than forcing the issue, peace at the table is maintained. No one likes an ultimatum. By asking which veggie they would like, kids have a feeling of choice, one that doesn’t include “no.” They feel some ownership over what they are eating and perhaps learn that they do like Brussels sprouts after all.

For more from James, check out his own blog at: www.jamesschulman.blogspot.com, follow him on twitter @jamesschulman, and find his other Chef Daddy posts at www.BlackBerryMom.com