“Kids Food” is a Modern Myth
If you look at children’s menus in restaurants or
kid-friendly food packages in the grocery store, it may seem that children only
eat a limited number of foods, such as deep-fried chicken strips, macaroni and
cheese, and chewy fruit snacks.
“Not true,” says Gayle Coleman, nutrition education
program specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. “Throughout
history and across the globe, children have consumed the same foods that their
family members eat.”
Early in the 20th century, advertisers found success
promoting products to children. Advertising expanded in the middle of the
century with the explosive growth of television and the promotion of special
meals for kids as part of the growing fast-food industry.
Today, advertising is a part of the Internet, video
games, and social media. Considering the messages people hear and see every
day, it’s not surprising that many people believe that children eat different
foods than adults.
It is true that children may not like the taste of a food
the first few times that they try it and that they naturally like sweet and
salty foods. However, over time children can learn to like a variety of foods
and flavors.
It also is true that children like to explore and have
fun. If given the opportunity, they may enjoy exploring the wide variety of
foods offered on restaurant menus and have fun finding new foods to try at the
grocery store or farmers’ market.
Here are some tips to encourage children to eat a wide
variety of foods.
·
Make the same meal for all family members. If
children are routinely expected to eat the same healthy foods that the rest of
the family eats, then they will learn to like these foods. On the other hand, if children are allowed to
demand pizza when everyone else is having spaghetti, the stage is set to
encourage picky eating.
·
Be a role model. Children learn from their
parents. If you are willing to taste foods that are new to you, there’s a good
chance that your children will, too.
·
Make trying new foods interesting. Explore the
standard adult menu at a restaurant with your child to see what they might like
to try. In many restaurants there is enough food in a single adult order to
feed you and your child so you might want to share an entree.
·
Encourage but don’t force children to try new
foods. Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat foods if they
are not forced to eat them.
·
Buy healthy foods and beverages you want your
family to eat. If children are hungry and the only foods available for snacks
are healthy foods such as fruit, raw veggies, low-fat milk and whole grain
cereal, then they will choose a healthy snack. Similarly, children are more
likely to drink low-fat milk, juice and water when there are no sugary
beverages to choose.
·
Plan meals and prepare foods with children.
Children are more likely to taste and eat foods that they helped to plan or
prepare. Even young children can help in deciding which green vegetable to have
with a meal or stirring a fruit salad. Plus, they learn how to plan and prepare
meals.
·
Grow foods together. Children also are more
likely to taste and eat foods that they help to grow. Even if it’s just a
container garden with a tomato plant or leafy greens children will learn how
vegetables grow and your family will have fresh veggies to eat.
It’s easy to see why certain foods are popular with
children when you consider the influence of advertising and children’s natural
preference for sweet and salty foods. However, kids’ food is a myth born in the
20th century.
Source: Gayle Coleman, nutrition education program
specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension.