 The number one rule for helping your child have a healthy relationship with their body is to NOT ever make comments about their weight or your weight. Children even pick up on it when you comment about your body and may start to believe that their weight is being judged by you. They may see weight as a way to gain acceptance from you. Just let them know that you love them for who they are inside- that is the most important! Try not to make weight comments at all! Also, please do not push any food items or food groups. The best thing you can do during meal time is put out lots of food items from all the food groups and let your child choose what to eat. The minute You start to take charge and decide what they should eat is the minute they start to lose control over their body and natural hunger feelings. Your children need to be in control of what they put in their body. This knowledge will help them as an adult to trust their own hunger feelings. You as a parent are in control of what is offered. Offer protein, carbohydrate, dairy, fruits and vegetables plus water at all meals. In addition offer a couple snacks in between meals. Protein and carbohydrate are a good combination for a snack that will help to stave off hunger until the next meal. If your child is not eating their meals you may need to reschedule the snacks. Try and leave at least 3 hours from snack to next meal. Also, please no clean plate clubs! Sometimes we all take too much- it is so important to listen to our body signals about when enough is enough. If you are concerned about waste, wrap it up for another meal. Hopefully these couple of tips will help you and your family to develop healthy relationships with food and our bodies! |
