How to Raise Intuitive Eaters
3 Things to Say to Your Kids to Promote Positive, Intuitive Eating
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One of the trickiest things that intuitive eating promotes is the ability for kids to say what they are willing to eat and what they aren't. Giving kids the freedom to decide what they want to eat and what they don't at the dinner table promotes a feeling of trust between parents and kids at mealtimes. However, it can be difficult for parents who grew up having to clear their plates or take three bites to allow their kids to opt out of trying a new food. But ultimately, even requiring a "no thank you bite" can make it increasingly difficult to talk about food without judgement.
Consider having a rule at your table instead that kids are allowed to not eat something, but they are also not allowed to claim they don't like something (or do like something) until they try it. When your kid (or you) doesn't feel like eating something on their plate, they can reach for the phrase, "It's not for me today." This rule puts your child in charge of what they eat, but also eliminates the "ewwwww yuck!" comments which can ruin dinnertime for the grownups at the table. In the end, allowing kids to say "that's not for me today," which is different than "I don't like this," gives them the power to potentially try the food in the future. It's not a hard no, which allows kids the space to explore their changing and dynamic relationship with food. You can respond to an "it's not for me" comment with, "Maybe next time you will like it," allowing for your child's tastes to grow as they do. Giving your kid authority over their experiences creates positive body image, but also leaves the door open for the food to be enjoyed in the future.
Using these three phrases as a jumping off point for exploring your child's relationship with intuitive eating takes away judgement, promotes self-exploration, and allows kids to recognise the power of their own bodies. Perhaps the most empowering and enjoyable part of teaching intuitive eating is that it recognises and embraces imperfections. Reaching for these statements may feel challenging, especially if you didn't grow up in a home that promoted positive food relationships. But the good news is that embracing intuitive eating means embracing imperfections — giving you time to grow, too.