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| I believe in what VALPO1997 stated! Also, when my children are young I dish their plates up and give them small amounts. If they eat it all and are still hungry they can go back for more but this way not so much is wasted! I also use small plates for them!
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I think forcing a child to eat all is wrong, but to try new things or retry things is ok. They have to taste it to decide if they like it.
And also limit the snacks that are bad for them if they did not eat what was made. The alternative is always a healthy one that I know they will eat.
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REDNECKFEMINIST
8/13/08 1:58 P
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| I dont think it is good to force a kid to eat anything, but you can limit the food choices they have so they only pick healthy foods.
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I was raised this way too, but there is another extreme to this. My sister won't make her child even try anything at all she doesn't want. This child eats fat and sugar - nothing else, no fruit, no vegetables, no whole grains, nothing. She is on prescription medication for constipation because of her diet and she's only 7.
There has got to be a happy medium!
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REDNECKFEMINIST
8/11/08 3:02 P
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| My kids are 8 and 9, I do not make them finish their plate, however, I do make them try everything. And if they want a snack after dinner, guess what, they have to eat all their veggies first. My kids are underweight and they say they do like a lot of food, but when I make them try something, have the time they find they love it and ask for more. Of course, we also only have somewhat healthy snacks. No chips, but crackers and cheese, fresh fruit, processed food treats, yogurt, applesauce. I find if I make it serving sizes they will grab it. So cheese is cut up in little containers in fridge, as are grapes, apples, etc. Crackers I put in little single serving jars for them to grab, instead of the box. yogurt and applesauce I buy in single serving containers.
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1-EYES-WIFE
7/21/08 5:13 A
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| I'm a member too...but way back then I promised myself I would NOT do that to my children. Both, 13 yo son and 6 yo daughter are both picky eaters. Son was worse when younger and getting better now and my daughter is getting worse. I have instilled (I'd like to think) good eating habits in both my children as to chose a fruit or a veggie first then a little something sweet or salty. Take the portion size recommended on the box (helps with counting and she's able to use the food scale!) not to eat directly from the box. Milk is always the first choice of drink then water (even when eating out). We only use 9" salad plate as a dinner plate so when we do eat else where my daughter hates to eat off the BIG plates, says there's too much space. I have learned from her, although I have read it and heard it at my WW meeting, stop eating when you're full. I do it now and it's wonderful! She and I share meals when we eat out fries are a treat (steamed cauliflower is the best because then it can be made into something like smashed potatoes). Portion sizes at home a recommended sizes because the plate is small and who likes their food all up on the other stuff??? Plus we love the food scale...you can actually get more than what the serving size is...hee hee. She has also taught me to take at least 20 min to eat, like you're supposed to. She chit chats and with that my fork spends less time in my hand and more time on my plate. I was fortunate to have never been an over weight child or adult but I am very aware of my weight and that of my family. So many diseases run on both sides it's just easier to try to stay as healthy as we can and over come the odds.
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| I want my kids to be healthy as well. My 3 year old doesn't eat when we all sit down to supper. It's always a battle. We sit down to a healthy meal and do it as a family. I have to feed him like a baby and I can only get a few bites in. I want him to try different veggies and protein. He would be more than happy eating sour cream chips and doughnuts all day. I try to limit these things and try to keep snacks to a minimum as well. I just want to expand his taste. I'm also trying to teach my 8 year old not to be wasteful and only take what he will eat. Sometimes I feel like meal time is a battle! Ugh. I love to cook for my family and I enjoy sitting down together, but I wish my kids would do what I want them to! But I guess if I could figure out how to make my kids always do what I want them to then I would be a parenting genius!
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SUZANNEYEA
7/19/08 7:08 A
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| I am also very careful with my son and his eating. I tend to give lots of choices at eat meal, so there is always something he will like. If he does not eat something I never make a big deal about it. Some nights he does not touch his vegetable and other nights he eats them all. I know I have some foods I like and other are totally gross to me and I would not like it if someone forced me to eat something I did not want to eat, so I give him the same respect.
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CURTRINALEWIS
7/19/08 3:09 A
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| my parents warned me about the same things. They went through a whole bunch of things parents do that you dont do when your not parent. I did the same thing for my daughter, I would finish her plate especially when we went out to eat. I didn't want to waste the money. Now I make sure I order or make what she will eat and only that. If she doesn't finish it it will be taken home or put in the fridge as left overs Mommy will not loose her waste if she continues to clean her plate for her. Plus it saves time when I dont have to make a whole entire meal again or she can eat it as a snack later. That way it doesnt get wasted and I get to work out longer.
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I too grew up with the clean plate club. And I decided when we were to have children that that would never happen to her.
My daughter is now 8. She eats when she is hungry. She eats what she wants and the amount that makes her full.
She too is very small for her age. But she is growing and the doctor has never been concerned for her weight. It all evens out.
People do not relies the damage that can be done by forcing a child to eat something that they don't want to eat.
I have my daughter eat a very balanced meal and when she is done she's done. And hopefully she will never have a weight problem like I do.
One thing I did notice that I had to stop doing was finishing her plate. I caught myself one day. Had to say NO MORE!
The clean plate club just doesn't want to let go!
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CURTRINALEWIS
7/17/08 12:58 P
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| I think that's the key. My daughter is the same way. She only eats what she wants. I never deprive her of the things she wants unless its insanely unreasonable for a 3 year old to be eating. For example I never give her red juices. They are like rocket fuel to her. But she never feels the need to over eat or over indulge. Simply because I never force her to eat more than her body tells her she needs. She has never been underweight or sick or had any problems. She has more energy than anyone in my household. We have been forced to ignore our bodies for years as children. Now as adults we have to learn to listen to and trust our bodies again. Then we will be able to beat the bulge wih fewer obstacles.
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I grew up in the same kind of household. I remember being forced to sit at the table for hours because I wouldn't eat something I found disgusting (liver). When I had my child I decided that I would never force her to eat and that, just like me, she was allowed not to like certain foods. I also decided that she was going to be active (I was never athletic) so I enrolled her in swim lessons and gymnastics. As a result, she's always been slender and a good athlete (cross country). Unlike me, she can eat one cookie or one piece of candy and walk away!
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HEAVENLYCHILD83
7/17/08 1:55 A
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| i grew up in the same kind of household, had to clean my plate before i could leave the table. but i never did. my parents always gave me too much. i'm still kind of like that, i don't clean my plate and sometimes eating very, very little and i'm full. at least since i changed some habits its been that way. 2 months ago i would force myself to clean my plate but now i eat slowly and only eat until i eat full. i don't force myself.
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CURTRINALEWIS
7/17/08 1:00 A
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| I recently took a life assessment to change a lot of the habits I felt were holding me back. One that helped me loose the first 10lbs. surprisingly was throughing away that mentality that we have to finish the food set in front of us. As a child I grew up in a family of 8. Thats a lot of mouths to feed with one income and six growing kids. We were always told never waste food and finish what is in front of you. that is all fine when your 6 years old and have the metabolism of a marathon runner. At 40 its not such a good idea. I am now 23 and am medically considered to be obese. My 3 year old daughter is 30 pounds finally and she is considered underweight. people are constantly trying to feed her large amounts of food and telling me she needs to eat more. One thing I noticed from her is that she sees food as something she needs when she is hungry and thats it. She does not eat when she is happy or sad. Just when she is hungry. She will tell you when she wants no more and you cant make her eat it. I took a page from her book and decided I will only eat when I am hungry and learn to stop when I am full not satisfied. Now I only eat when I am truly hungry and it is showing in my waistline. I dont get larger portions than I need and even with a smaller portion I dont try to force myself to finish the food. I know there are children starving in the world but it does not mean I have to stuff my face to end world hunger. Its okay to turn down the plate. I realize that mentality was holding a lot of weight on my hips and stomach. Now after only a few weeks I am starting to see the difference. So what I want to do now is challenge everyone who feels they may have that same mindset. The challenge is to defy what we have been taught and don't finish your plate. Only eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. Learn the difference between hunger and appetite and see in a month if your waistline doesnt start to disappear. Please let me know what your results are. I am curious to see if this mentality goes beyond me and my family. Best of luck to everyone.
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