Three Ways to Help Your Children Develop a Healthy Relationship with Food

Struggling with children over food can confuse a child’s natural ability to listen to their bodies. For example, when food is forced upon them, used as a reward, or heavily restricted, it can lead to problems. Children may develop a dislike for healthy foods and obsess over foods that have been overly restricted or labeled as “bad.” In extreme cases, these practices can contribute to disordered eating behaviors.

As a parent, you can help your child develop a healthy relationship with food by practicing the 'division of responsibility.' This approach, suggested by feeding expert Ellyn Satter, allows parents to decide when, what, and where food is served, while the child decides if and how much to eat. This gives children the freedom to respond to their own hunger cues without the stress of external pressure