Redefining Sweets for Picky Eaters: A Balanced Approach to Candy & Meals
As the Halloween costumes are packed away, and the spooky decorations come down, there's one lingering reminder of the festivities that can pose a parental conundrum: the overflowing stash of Halloween candy. 😱
For many families, this sugary treasure trove becomes a battleground when combined with the challenge of picky eaters. How do you strike a balance between allowing a bit of indulgence and ensuring your kids eat nutritious meals? In this blog post, we'll uncover the top pitfall parents frequently encounter and, more importantly, provide you with effective strategies to steer clear of it. 🚫
🍬 The Most Common Pitfall Parents Make with Sweets 🍬
What's the primary misstep parents make? It's presenting and referring to sweets as a "special treat." 🍭
The idea that sweets must be earned is deeply ingrained in our approach to them. We often reserve them for the end of a meal, treating them as something "special." But here's the catch: this approach is fundamentally flawed! 🤔
As adults, we understand that the healthiest way to enjoy sweets is in moderation. Therefore, with the best of intentions, we end up placing these sweet treats on a pedestal, making them seem like rewards to be earned. It might sound familiar: "First, finish your chicken, THEN you can have some candy!" or "Just a 4 more bites of pasta, and then you can have chocolate."
Are you guilty of using similar phrases? 🙋♀️ You're not alone!
Here's the issue: When children perceive a particular food as restricted or rare, they desire it even more. And let's face it, sweets are undeniably delicious! So, it's only natural for your child to want them.
But don't fall into this trap! Instead of resorting to bribery, hiding candy, or bracing for a potential meltdown, here's what you should do instead:
Place a small portion of the sweet treat directly on your child's plate, right alongside the rest of their meal. Yes, you read that correctly—on the same plate as their dinner! Select an amount that you're comfortable with them consuming in its entirety.
Act like it's no big deal that the sweet is there. No need to pretend it isn't present, but maintain a neutral tone when discussing it. For example, when presenting dinner, you can say, "Tonight, we're having rice, chicken, a Skittle and melon." Avoid overemphasizing any particular part of the meal.
When your child chooses to eat the sweet first and finish it, resist the urge to comment on it. Just as adults aren't told how to eat their food in a specific order, children don't need such instructions either.
If your child finishes the sweet and asks for more right away, you have the choice of allowing it or not. If your answer is "no," you can say, "We've had all the Skittles available for tonight. Should we plan to include a Skittle with our dinner tomorrow?" (If you agree, make sure to follow through!)
When your child raves about how "yummy" or "delicious" the sweet is, steer the conversation in a different direction. Instead, talk about the color, shape, or size of the food. For example, "My Skittle is green and round. Can you think of something else that's green and round? I'll start: How about a tennis ball?" 🎾
By following these strategies, you can help your child develop a healthier relationship with sweets and meals. It's time to ditch the "special treat" mentality and foster a balanced approach to eating. 🍫👨👩👧👦🥦