Instead of:

“Eat that for me.”

“If you do not eat one more bite, I will be mad.”

Phrases like these teach your child to eat for your approval and love. This can lead your child to have unhealthy behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs about food and about themselves.

Try This:

“This is kiwi fruit. Feel its fuzzy skin. Would you like to see the inside?

How do you think it will taste?"

“These radishes are very crunchy.”

“What does this smell like to you?”

Support trying new foods by connecting them to the senses. Phrases like these help your child explore food with their senses.

Instead of:

“See that didn’t taste so bad, did it?”

This phrase teaches your child that they were wrong to refuse the food. This can lead to unhealthy attitudes about food or self.

Try this:

“Do you like that?”

“Which one is your favorite?”

“Everybody likes different foods, don't they?”

Let children explore the taste of the food and decide what they like. Phrases like these help your child feel like they are making the choices. These phrases also put the focus on the taste of food rather than being right.

Instead of: 

" No dessert until you eat your vegetables."

Offering some foods, like dessert, in reward for finishing others, makes some foods seem better than others.

Try This:

"We can try these vegetables another time. Next time, would you like to try them raw instead of cooked?"

Let children make the choices about whether or not to eat the food you offer. They will be more likely to enjoy it when they choose.

Instead of:

"You're such a big girl. You have finished all your peas."

"You have to take one more bite before you leave the table."

Phrases like these teach your child to ignore when they feel full.

Try This:

"Is your stomach telling you that you are full?"

"Is your stomach still making its hungry growling noises?"

"Has your tummy had enough?"

Help children to tell when they are full to prevent overeating. Phrases like these help your child to recognize when they are full.

Instead of:

"Stop crying and I will give you a cookie."

"If you behave, we can get ice cream."

Phrases like this teach your child to eat to feel better. This can lead to overeating. This can lead to unhealthy emotional eating.

Try This:

"I am sorry you are sad. Come here and let me give you a big hug."

"I understand that you are getting impatient. How about if we tell a story while we wait?"

These phrases comfort and support in a healthy way.