Teach kids healthy eating habits through Division of Responsibility
Is pleasing your family at meals or getting everyone to eat the same thing a daily struggle?
Internationally recognized registered dietitian and family therapist Ellyn Satter developed the Division of Responsibility in Feeding, also known as the gold standard for feeding children. She outlines the concept in her book “How To Get Your Kid To Eat … But Not Too Much.”
“Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented,” Satter said. “Children are responsible for how much and even whether they eat.”
How do you apply the Division of Responsibility in your home? Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Choose a time to plan
next week’s meals. Allow your children to give their requests or preferences. As you plan, ask yourself these two questions:
Have I included a “safe food,” one I know my child will accept at each meal?
Am I choosing a variety of foods at each meal?
Once your plan is complete, consider posting the menu somewhere in your home so everyone will know the answer to that ever-important question: “What’s for dinner?”
Serve meals and snacks at the table. Make sure t here are minimal
distractions and that the meals and snacks come at consistent times throughout the day.
Allow your child to choose from foods you are
offering. Don’t make substitutions an option. By including a “safe food” at each meal, you are ensuring your child will not go hungry. By providing regular meals and snacks, you are guaranteeing an opportunity for your child to “make up for” those times he or she eats less.
Make mealtimes pleasant. Avoid pressuring your child to eat. Remember: children are responsible for whether and how much they choose to eat. Enjoy this built-in opportunity to model healthy eating for your child by eating a balanced meal when you are hungry and stopping when you are satisfied.
Brigid Kay, registered dietitian at Schilling Nutrition Therapy encourages her three children to try “one bite to be polite.” It may take 15-20 bites over time for a child to accept a food, so continue offering a variety of foods at meals whether your child enjoys them or not.
Feeding your fa mily doesn’t have to mean bei ng a short- order cook. Planning meals may take a little time on the front end, but imagine the fun and peace that could come from implementing the Division of Responsibility in your home!