Do you force your children to eat foods they don't like?
About This Page:

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!

**DrDolphin** · 08-31-2006, 03:37 PM

My mother had a rule - I had to eat 3 bites of a new food the first time it was served -- and AGAIN the second time it was served before I was allowed to say I didn't like it. However, if my mother made something that I did not like - she would not make something special for me - I could choose not to eat that particular item.

CinderAbby · 08-31-2006, 03:45 PM

When my brother and I were growing up, we were forced to eat one thing - Liver. I couldn't stand it then and I can't stand it now. My mom loves it as does my DH so I will make it for them and since we all live together, I always point out to her I don't have to eat Liver anymore. For my DD though, I make her try one small piece of new foods - except Liver (which really bothers my mother BTW). If she doesn't like it, that's fine with me because at least she tried it.

Teresa · 08-31-2006, 06:18 PM

Yes I do. Kids never like anything new, and because I humored the older ones, they have limited diets. So, with the younger ones, they eat what they are given. they do not have to eat all of it, but enough to get a good taste. There is never a time that the meal consists of entirely new items, so they can eat foods that are familiar also.

They do get to choose one, and only one item they NEVER have to eat. They must choose wisely, they can't change their minds. Youngest has chosen potatoes. second youngest has not chosen, she has decided that it's not worth it, so she eats everything, even if she doesn't like it.

Here's an example of why I make them: DDs hated asparagus the first time it was served to them. (I had never had it, but we are trying to expand our eating habits). I made it a different way the next time, and it is now one of their favorite dishes. If I had said, "okay, you don't like it, you don't have to eat it" They never would have discovered that they actually DO like it.

On the other hand, the first 3 kids will only eat Green beans and corn for cooked veggies (and corn isn't even a veggie) and carrots as a fresh veggie.

Nope, make them eat it.

loobyoxlip · 08-31-2006, 06:47 PM

NO WAY! When I was little I was forced to finish the hash on my plate AND I wasn't allowed to have any more milk to wash it down once I'd finished my glass. I sat at that kitchen table until it got dark outside gagging on every bite. To this day, I can't even think of hash w/o gagging. I can laugh about it with my parents now, but it really made an impact on me. I wouldn't do that to my boys.

**CRCrazy** · 08-31-2006, 07:12 PM

Nope - I think that people's taste buds are different - some are more sensitive than others.

I've got 3 girls, and all 3 have very different eating styles!

Amanda is a good, healthy eater, but there are several foods she doesn't like, and just can't eat - like green beans (which are my FAVORITE veggie!).

Jennie is a PICKY eater, although less so now that she's older. She didn't eat any mixed foods - especially soup! She brought sliced apples with peanut butter and raisins for lunch every day for years to school. Thankfully, she wasn't allergic to peanut butter - it's what got her through to her teens! She does like most fruits, but only a few veggies - although she could live on carrots and blueberries!

Sarah is a major foodie - and will eat almost anything (except nuts - she shoved one up her nose as a toddler, and is now convinced that she hates them!) She lives for seafood, of any type, calamari, mussels, salmon, you name it - she'll eat it! She also likes most veggies, and fruits. When she was a baby - she had a big circle in the middle of her tongue (no taste buds!) - and she LOVED all kinds of odd foods for a baby - black coffee, olives, mushrooms - you name it. She's actually a little pickier now (peer pressure).

I encourage my kids to try new foods, but make sure that I always have at least one healthy food I know they like on the table. With Jennie - if she didn't like the food - she could have a PB&J sandwich, or mac and cheese, etc. She only eats plain chicken or beef for meat (no gravies!!) and pork/ham will never cross her lips.

It's not worth the struggle - if they are hungry, they'll find good food to eat.

clio · 08-31-2006, 07:22 PM

DD had to taste it to see if she really didn't like it. I never forced her to eat anything, but she didn't get something different if she didn't like what we were eating. The only thing she really hates is baked beans. Neither one of us eats hot dogs either.
Liz

**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]

Teresa · 08-31-2006, 09:04 PM

After reading everyone else's posts, I do have to add that we don't force them to eat lots of something. 2 bites, chewed and swallowed, that's it. And there are no other things. I AM NOT a short order cook.

Meggera · 08-31-2006, 09:15 PM

I make sure she tries the food. I will put 2 peas on her plate or 4 lima beans...just enough for a little taste. She tries them and doesn't complain too much. But, by doing this, she has learned many different foods she likes just because I made her try them, such as zucchini, sugar snap peas, broccoli, celery, pineapple, and canned peaches. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

cluver · 08-31-2006, 09:52 PM

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] How many adults do you know that eat stuff they don't like? Why do parents force their kids to eat stuff they don't like? I can see trying one bite, but come on.

SHEANA1226 · 08-31-2006, 10:17 PM

I do not force Allison when she is with me but I do tell her she at least needs to try it. But she would rather have desserts. Go figure!

simbarel · 08-31-2006, 10:29 PM

I only feed the cats and have figured out what they like and stick with that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I was forced to eat stuff I didn't like, but I figure it prepared me for all the frogs I had to kiss before finding DH. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]