Page 135 - The Intentional Parent

reported.) The best way to get a child to eat a wider variety of foods is to introduce them when he's in a good mood. Never force food on a child. Many societies, including our own, tend to place a lot of excess significance on the eating ritual. We learn to eat in response to all kinds of external cues (to celebrate, when we are depressed, to watch a sports event) as opposed to eating to satisfy the feeling of hunger. Pediatricians tell us that, when left to their own devices, kids seem to have a built-in mechanism that encourages them to choose relatively healthy foods. It's a safe bet that kids won't starve themselves. Children will, however, be influenced by what you eat, so it is best for everyone if you pay attention to healthy and nutritious food choices.
POOR EATING HABITS
My eight-year-old son is a sugar junkie. He drinks two two-liter bottles of soda a day and devours all the candy and sugary snacks he can get his hands on at school. He's also big on chips and other junk foods. Lately, I've become concerned over the fact that he seems to be putting on weight.
First of all, it is good that you are concerned over your son's eating habits. It sounds as though they are a disaster. All that sugar is certainly taking its toll on his teeth and his general health. In addition, junk food contains a lot of fats and "empty," or nonnutritive, calories. Aside from this, your son is developing eating habits that last a lifetime. I don't know if this is the case in your house, but a lot of parents tell me their children are pigging out on junk foods all day long, and when I ask where they get them, they tell me right out of their own cupboards or refrigerators! Take the time to learn which snacks are healthy and which are not (pretzels and air-popped popcorn are good
The Intentional Parent by Peter J. Favaro, Ph.D. 135