Bad Food Eating Children

As if there's not enough fear around the lives of our children, now the NYTimes reports there's an increasing number afraid of "bad" food.

I agree with the experts that say obsession with food is a symptom, and the parents of these children need to be educated about that. They think they're protecting their children from unhealthy eating habits, but in reality are creating a foundation where fear, anxiety and paranoia can easily be triggered for just about anything.

A child's fear of food is typically learned, and to counter it requires an overhaul of the mindset in the child's environment. A calm and composed attitude about what you don't want your kids to eat, and excitement about what you do, is the easiest way to counter that fear. It's really not about food.

Children are highly sensitive to the emotions around them and develop fears quite easily. If they have people around them placing a lot of negative attention and emotion to certain foods, then it's no surprise where their fear is coming from.

Healthy eating habits, just like etiquette and language are learned practices from our home environment. Habits become "stamped" in our bodies, so that instant recall gets easier as we age.

When it comes to nutrition, let's create a practice where we place excitement and joy on wholesome foods, and give little to no attention to our idea of "bad" food. Bring healthful snacks with you everywhere, and make it feel as a normal as taking your keys, or getting the mail.

I see people in my practice all the time with food obsessions that feel like they have missed out on the joys of life, destroyed relationships, and basically drained their energy on a daily basis as a result of avoiding "bad" food.

Let's help our children development lifelong healthy nutritional habits as they grow into adulthood by creating that for them now.