Monkey See, Monkey Do: What Negative Eating Habits You Are Teaching Your Kids?

As parents, you may strive to implement good eating habits when it comes to your children. This is important, as well as admirable. You may teach your children this by using words and possibly even charts. However, there is one snag when it comes to this that most parents fall into- they fail to implement these directions by being the main example. Although, you may not think this is too much of a ‘biggie’ it definitely is. Children learn habits from the example set by their parents, be it for the good or for the bad. If you are one of those guilty in this respect, the best time to change is soon- as in right now today.

Here are a few quick examples and suggestions on how you may be unwittingly teaching your kids some really bad habits and steps that you do to change it.So, Monkey See, Monkey Do: What Negative Eating Habits You Are Teaching Your Kids?

Monkey See, Monkey Do Negative Eating Habit #1: Choosing Unhealthy Snacks When Shopping Or Going On Trips

While out shopping for a trip to somewhere like the zoo, it is extremely easy to indulge in unhealthy snacks for those unexpected hunger pangs. Checkout lines are designed to sell us sugary items and places such as zoos or museums tend to have vending machines or small shops selling mostly unhealthy foods. With this being the case, a trend of eating sweets and potato chips at every outing can easily become a habit. This will easily rub off on your child and impact them for life; right up to how they raise their own children.

Solution

Plan ahead; if you are going on a trip with your child, bring along healthy snack such as whole-grain crackers, moderate amounts of trail mix as well as fruit. Try sticking to cooled water over sugary beverages. If you have to, buy preservative-free fruit juice instead of fizzy drinks. You’ll get more nutrition and avoid caffeine (drinks such as coke and mountain dew contain a rather large amount of caffeine and sugar).

 

Another alternative for fizzy drinks that I have seen successfully used, is buying a glass of soda water at a restaurant and requesting a shot of soda to be mixed into it. This means you can give your younger child a fizzy drink, but with less sugar and caffeine.

Monkey See, Monkey Do Negative Eating Habit #2: Encouraging The Negative Habit Of Overeating

I’m sure with many parents, the one ‘rule’ when it comes to eating is to “always finish what’s on your plate.” I catch myself saying this to my daughter all the time (she really needs it, though, she is easily distracted). This is one natural assumption our parents learned from their parents and so on. However, this could possibly be one of the worst things we can force on children. And it may be worsened if our children see us always finishing what we’ve dished up, even though it may be too much food. Continuing this habit with children may ultimately lead to a habit of overeating and the resulting trend of childhood obesity.

Solution

During mealtimes with your kids, rather than making their plate, give them the opportunity to make their own for themselves. As adults, we may automatically make bigger plates for our children than what they actually need, after all, we tend to think with our own stomachs. Children are less likely to have that problem, as they still have small tummies and will, therefore, tend to make lesser plate than what we might. Meaning they may make a plate of what they need, without having any leftovers.  Still, make sure to keep an eye out to make sure they are getting enough and not just enough to finish and go play quickly.  Take a note to do this for yourself too; make plates slightly less than what you would usually.  If you are still hungry, go grab seconds and don’t let your child see you eating too much just for the sake of it.

Monkey See, Monkey Do Negative Eating Habit #3: Doing Meal-Planning And Preparation On Your Own

Many parents choose to take the task of planning the weekly food list, going shopping for groceries and cooking, solo. It may be because you do not want distractions or possible nightmare scenarios in the grocery stores with your little one. If you are in one of those groups, it may be a good idea to change these habits. You could choose to let your child help you make the grocery list and ask what they would like for supper that week (in moderate proportion) and take them with you to go shopping. Kids are less likely to throw boredom tantrums if they are assigned ‘tasks’ or ‘responsibilities’, as they are more engaged in the shopping, rather than just being ‘dragged around.’  For example, depending on their age, you could ask them to get certain items themselves and when wanting to introduce your child to new foods (fruits or veg), give them the opportunity to pick out which specific ones to buy- with some direction on how to pick the best.

Solution

In addition, when cooking let them help be sure that you give them age appropriate tasks. A child will more likely be open to trying new, healthy foods if they have the pride of being able to say “I helped pick this one!” or “I helped mommy/daddy cook!”  Kids don’t enjoy certain surprises; such as being given a plate of food with a ‘foreign object’ on it that they must consume.

Always remember

As the parent, the task of teaching your children better eating habits rests squarely on your shoulders, sort of speak. The habits you teach them and likewise what they learn from your example will lay the foundation of their future choices as adults. Always try to refrain from saying one thing and then doing the opposite when it comes to healthy choices in life.

What are some habits (good/bad) that this list should add? Comment below and let’s discuss.