Do you force your children to eat foods they don't like?
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poohmaine · 08-31-2006, 09:15 AM

I just overheard co-workers discussing how they force their young children to eat foods they don't like as a matter of respect for the meal that has been prepared and as a matter of discipline. I think that's so cruel!

When my girls were little, the rule was they had to try three big bites of new foods. If they didn't like it, I would prepare something else simple, like a peanut butter sandwich. I would never make them eat it again.

When they got older, and didn't want to eat the dinner that was made, they could make something else by themselves but it had to be reasonable (no desserts, etc.)

My co-workers think I spoiled my children. I didn't let them eat candy, for goodness sake! But if they don't like green beans, then I will just make peas instead. What's the big deal?

I can't see any positive results to forcing your children to eat foods you know they don't like again and again, other than to make a battle out of mealtime, or make them hate food!

Your opinion, Passporters?

JennyM · 08-31-2006, 09:35 AM

I never force my children to eat foods they don't like. I will ask them to try it but I won't even make that into a big battle. They are older now...14 & 10...and both have branched out to try & like different things...even some things I don't like! My son tried mushrooms at a teppanyaki place without knowing what they were and was vey amazed that he liked them! Also, I think your tastes change throughout your life. I can't think of any good reason to fight with my children over food! There are plenty of other battles that will come along that will be more important!

ripkensnana · 08-31-2006, 09:40 AM

I used to make my kids try at least one bite before rejecting a new food....my youngest would always tell me he didn't like brocolli, and after taking one bite, he'd eat a full serving (because he decided he liked it). We'd go through the same thing every time I served it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

My oldest likes liver, and I can't even stand the smell of it cooking!

krisk11 · 08-31-2006, 09:49 AM

I have been lucky and never had to force my kid to try or eat anything because she has always been a very good eater. You did have to take as many bites as years you were old of something you instantly said you didn't like without even trying (ie: 4 year olds took 4 bites). At home growing up we were each allowed to pick one dinner my mom made that we hated and didn't have to eat (mine was my mom's homemade vegetable soup [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]) I would allow my dd to do that also but I don't think I make anything that she doesn't eat because it is only the tw of us.

wendybell · 08-31-2006, 10:04 AM

I honestly believe that making your child eat something they don't want to for whatever reason, breeds bad eating habits. I say "take one bite and if you don't like it, that's ok", and when they're full, they're full.

I was the "one kid" that had to be babysat at the dinner table because I was a poor eater and it was a horrible thing! Like my gram says "no child will ever starve to death on purpose" - they will eat when they are ready...

whoSEZ · 08-31-2006, 10:12 AM

My mom ran a daycare in our home for about 20 years, and I have always loved her way of handling picky eaters. She asks them to try one bite, then if they don't like it (or if they downright refuse to even try it), she just says, "That's okay. Maybe you're just not old enough to like it yet." That usually gets them to at least try it, and often, the realize that they actually like it.

**DyanKJ130** · 08-31-2006, 08:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I honestly believe that making your child eat something they don't want to for whatever reason, breeds bad eating habits. I say "take one bite and if you don't like it, that's ok", and when they're full, they're full.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yeahthat.gif[/img]

**HiddenMickey** · 08-31-2006, 11:01 AM

We have what is called a "no thank you helping" rule. I serve a small amount of a new food and they must take a couple bites of it. One bite is not enough....as you usually don't get the flavor from that one....so at least two bites.

Luckily, my kids have always been adventurous in their eating and will try new things without much fuss. I don't serve them things I don't like...so they'll never get to try brussell sprouts or liver at my table.

my2girls · 08-31-2006, 11:08 AM

We always ask our daughters to try everything at least once. If they don't like it, we don't serve to them again (at least for a while). My daughters will eat some things that kids won't. The one thing they both have loved since they were 3 years old is Calamari!!! They eat almost all vegetables and don't complain about it when I give it to them!!!

graygables · 08-31-2006, 01:25 PM

I don't force mine, either. They are very good about trying new things mostly b/c they know they *don't* have to eat it if they don't like it. On the trip to WDW we just got back from, my mom was all over me for "spoiling" them b/c there was something 10yo ordered that she didn't like, so I let her order something else. The way I look at it, she at least tried something different. I refuse to be one of "those" parents who screams at their kids about how much they "paid for those noodles, you're going to eat the *#$% noodles!" I remind them every time we go that they are never "stuck" with their food choice.

MyHeroMickey · 08-31-2006, 01:24 PM

I never force them to eat foods they do not like, but I do ask them to try new foods.

heather2148 · 08-31-2006, 01:44 PM

I make everyone try everything, including DF. He was brought up on of like the same 7 or 8 dinners cycled over and over. If they don't like it after a reasonable tasting then they don't have to eat it. I don't know if anyone else has kids like me but, what they like and don't like changes constantly.

Chrissi · 08-31-2006, 01:55 PM

I don't force him to eat anythign he doesn't like, but he has to try everything we make for family meals at least once. We've forced him to try one bite of a new food occasionally. A few days ago, he helped make guacamole and was grossed out by the avocadoes. DH had some on his finger and waited until DS made a face and stuck out his tongue. DH swiped it across his tongue when he closed his eyes. DS had no choice but to taste it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] And he loved it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Last night, we snuck some salmon in with his chicken and rice and he asked for more of the special "chicken". [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

As for veggies - we're always stocked up on his favorite veggies. I make a little of those each time we try a new food, just in case he doesn't like aspargus or sunchokes or whatever. One serving steams really fast in the microwave, so it's no big deal - as long as he eats something other than rice, cereal, or potatoes at each meal. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

AmyJune · 08-31-2006, 02:59 PM

We always had to eat a little of everything that mom cooked, even if we didn't like it. For instance, I hate green beans. I was allowed when green beans were on the menu to take only 2 beans, and that was fine. BUT if I was foolish enough to put a whole spoonful on my plate I had to eat them all. And yes I was once served green beans for breakfast because I refused to finish them for dinner.
She explained that the reason she did this (taught us to eat food we didn't like) was so that if we ever went to a friend or relatives house and they served something we didn't like, we wouldn't embarass her or ourselves by refusing to eat what was served to us.
I thought that was a load of crap as a kid but it has come in handy when at special event dinner when they serve those yucky beans I can eat them.

wishes · 08-31-2006, 03:20 PM

I don't make food an issue either. My kids have always been good eaters. In my house, I also have the "one bite rule". They have to at least taste whatever is new that I'm making. If they don't like it, they can make themselves something else (simple, like a sandwich or a bowl of cereal--hey, if it's good enough for breakfast, it's good enough for dinner). And I never force them to eat if they're not hungry. I know people who will make their kids seperate meals--sorry, but I cook once and that's it. If they don't like it, again, make a sandwich or a bowl of cereal. I guess I remember the days when my parents, who knew I DESPISED peas (still do), would make me eat them, no matter what. I always said I'd never do that to my kids! LOL!