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The best way to talk to your child about healthy eating

Of course it’s important for children to learn about healthy eating – but unless you approach the topic with your fussy eater carefully, it could make things worse, not better! Here’s the Do’s and Don’ts.

Never talk to your child about healthy eating when they’re actually eating!

“You won’t grow big and strong if you don’t eat your meat.” “Carrots help you see in the dark.” “Fish makes your brain work better.” This kind of talk at mealtimes to encourage your child to eat simply won’t work! It’s just an indirect way of putting pressure on your child to eat – which your child will react against. The chance of them saying “Oh really mummy, I didn’t know that. In that case I’m going to eat it all!” is nil! Instead, talk to them about healthy eating when you’re nowhere near the table and you’re both in a happy, relaxed mood. This way it won’t be connected with pressure to eat.

Don’t start too young!

The only message you want to give your pre-schooler is: ‘All food is good – eating is one of life’s biggest pleasures!’ And then it’s up to you to limit the amount of unhealthy stuff they have. You don’t need to talk to them about healthy eating at all. A toddler is always looking for control and power (the terrible twos!) so if you show them how much you care what they eat, they’re extremely likely to go in the other direction!

Don’t overdo it!

After that, say from 4 years old, just drip-feed them tiny little bits and pieces of information here and there – when there’s a good and natural opportunity away from the table. If you see an avocado in the supermarket, for instance, you could tell them how an avocado is called a ‘superfood’ because of all the good and powerful stuff in it – just like Superman has his powers! But don’t then buy that avocado and present it to them at the next meal (= pressure to eat it). Leave a gap before you do that!

Keep it factual!

Stick to the facts without adding any personal comments. For example, if you were explaining about vitamin C, you might say “Oranges have got loads of Vitamin C in” – but never add “That’s why you should eat your orange when I put one in your lunch box.” That’s pressure to eat again – which will have the reverse effect!

Make it relatable

For instance, if you went on to explain that vitamin C helps to heal skin, you might say “Remember when you fell off the climbing frame in the park and you got that big scab on your knee, or when daddy cut his finger chopping onions and had to go to hospital to have stitches in it, those kind of scabs and cuts get better faster when you have lots of vitamin C in your body.” That’ll have much more impact than saying “Vitamin C is good for you.”

Use books

Find engaging and age-relevant books on food and nutrients to read to your child. This completely de-personalizes the information and makes it seem much more objective and authoritative – removing the feeling that you’re just desperately trying to get them to eat stuff!