With September and back to school season almost upon us, I thought I would take this month to cover infant and child nutrition. Click here to see my post on infant nutrition.
DIETITIAN CONFESSION: I was a picky eater!
Many people assume that as a dietitian I eat perfectly. Some days, that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and it certainly wasn’t true when I was a child.
Like many children, I was a picky eater. My selective eating habits lasted well into my teens, affecting my confidence and ability to relate to my peers.
My past as a picky eater played a big role in why I became a dietitian. Click this link to read more about my journey to reformed picky eater and dietitian!
PARENTS VS KIDS: Division of Responsibility
The Division of Responsibility is an often used concept to help establish healthy eating patterns in children—even picky eaters!
The principles can be applied during infancy with on-demand feeding through adolescence when meal timing is more structured. Parents are responsible for what is served, where, and when, whereas children are responsible for how much and whether to eat.
The concept relies on trusting a child’s natural ability to regulate their intake based on internal hunger and satiety cues. Talk to a dietitian to learn how to apply the division of responsibility and raise a healthy eater.
RAISING HEALTHY EATERS: Kids in the Kitchen
Another way to help kids develop healthy eating patterns is to involve them in all aspects of food. From menu planning to grocery shopping to cooking, children as young as 2 years old can contribute.
Being involved in the cooking process can help to reduce food fears and increase interest in trying new foods. It also helps kids learn valuable skills and techniques they can use for years to come.
Improving your child’s confidence in the kitchen will put them on the right path to developing a healthy relationship with food.
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