Mealtime Do's and Don'ts

Mealtime with Young Children A Survival Guide

Don’t

Offer giant portions

Give small portions and encourage your child to ask for more. This promotes language and helps kids recognize hunger and fullness.

Allow daylong grazing

Snacks and drinks add up and often cause kids to not be hungry for meals.

Force food

Too often this teaches kids to hate eating.

Use distractions

At first, using toys, TV and other distractions can help kids eat better. But over time, the effect wears off and eating becomes chore.

Offer rewards /punishments

Like distractions, rewards and punishments work in the short run. At first, a child unhappily stuffs in a few more bites, but in the long run, eating becomes worse. 

Encourage long mealtimes

Unless a child has problems with the mechanics of eating, long mealtimes are a sign that parents are putting too much energy in trying to get a child to eat. Children eat best when food availability is limited.

Let kids throw food

When a child throws food, it is a sign (or should be) that eating is over. You may be able to prevent food throwing by looking for early signs that your child is finished.

Be a short-order cook

When your toddler refuses pancakes, don’t offer waffles. By offering one new food after another, you reward your child’s refusal. It teaches her “If I say no, I might get something better.” Parents who do this regularly become short-order cooks.

Do’s

Set clear & consistent limits

Young children need limits. Consistency is the cardinal rule; otherwise children learn that if they push hard enough, they will get their way.

Give choices

“Do you want the Chex or the o’s cereal?”

Allowing children to make some of their own food choices gives them some control and, at the same time, encourages participation.

Create schedules & routines

If you teach your kids that there is a special time and place for food, they will be less likely to fuss. 

Provide good role models

Kids are great imitators. Set a good example. Your child will learn from watching you, older siblings and others.   

Introduce table foods

To help your child grow up eating the same foods you eat, don’t prolong keeping older babies and toddlers on baby food.

Include mellow-out time

Buzzing around with hectic activities can cause a child to be too revved up to eat. Quiet activities like setting the table or reading can help a child to be ready for food.

Offer easy to eat foods

Choose foods that match your child’s feeding skills and interest. Long before they are truly able to, kids want to feed themselves. 

Have fun

Show your kids that you enjoy eating healthy food.  

Practice patience Young kids are usually messy and demanding. But they will grow up faster than you expect.