09/14/2021
Even if you have not heard of the "clean plate club", you most likely know what it is. You may have grown up hearing your parents or guardians tell you that you couldn't leave the dinner table until you ate all of your food or finished all of your sweet potatoes.
Whether you still eat this way now or not, you do not have to finish all of your food, even if it is on your plate. Sometimes the amount of food we serve ourselves may be too little, and we can get more food. Sometimes the amount of food we serve ourselves may be too much, and we can put away the leftovers for another time.
When kids learn this rule and are pressured to eat (in one way or another), there are a couple of things that may happen as a result.
- They may eat fewer fruits and vegetables
- They learn that what matters is the amount of food on their plate, not whether their stomach feels too empty or too full
Because kids learn to eat when they aren't hungry this can lead to overeating, eating mindlessly, and even emotional eating.
Some ways you can support your child's eating habits:
- Give them a variety of foods to choose from.
- Involve your kids in planning recipes for the week and even making meals if possible. This is a great way to give your kids more control over what they eat.
- Ask your kids what fruits and vegetables they want as part of the meal. If your kid is picky, start with what they like and then introduce new vegetables over time. There is no rush!
- Include one sweet as part of the meal to teach kids that sweets are part of a balanced diet, not a reward or forbidden food.