Talking about Food with Your Family

I have met many parents who try to teach kids about “good and bad” foods, “red light, yellow light and green light” foods, “healthy and not healthy” foods etc. And although this obviously comes from a loving place, does it really help?

Could it actually be hurting?

Some kids might care less about what their parents are preaching about food, but some children are very sensitive to this information. If they are anxious and you tell them that a food is bad or unhealthy, this could spark a spiral of fear and obsessiveness toward food.

Adults try to offer a lot of education in this area, but have you noticed that there is A LOT of contradicting information out there related to food? Diet mentality promotes obsessiveness around food and these days diet culture is hidden in ideas of “clean eating” or “life-style” changes.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely believe in nutritional education and awareness. I think it is important for kids to understand that foods have different values (some foods are good to taste and some foods are good for energy), but research points to letting kids identify how much of something they should eat. If we are trying to limit or shame them for eating more of a “bad” food then it can lead to overeating or obsessive tendencies related to food control.

Attached is a fantastic resource to consider. This is the Division of Responsibility layout for family eating developed by Ellyn Satter. Think about picking up some of her reading material. She is a fantastic resource to have in your pocket as a caregiver.