Children Eat What They Live

Nutritious eating habits are generally formed long before children start to select their own foods. Children adopt the eating habits of their role models. Parents and child care providers are the first role models that children have contact with.

Children are great observers. When children see what is going on in the kitchen, they can create a complete dialogue with their invisible friend on how to fry french fries or prepare a salad.

In several studies involving the eating patterns of children, researchers found that their eating habits, including preferences for certain foods was traced back to the patterns and preferences of their parents.

As children transition from bottles to bacon, they beging to develop eating habits that stay with them throughout their lives. Nutritious eating habits that are started at a very early age will follow them through adulthood.

Since it is documented that eating healthy can prevent serious illness, it is vital that role models start giving a carrot stick or an apple for a fun snack rather than a sugary snack. Children eat what they see adults consuming.

Parents do not realize the major influence that they have over what their children learn to eat. Following the eating habits of children, research confirmed that the rules about food are almost as genetic as the color of their eyes. This fact puts a lot of stress on caregivers.

But understanding the far reaching implications of this study will result in healthier kids and healthier caregivers.

Parents can relate to the fact that they associate both positive and negative memories with food. When children are involved in fun activities, they tend to be snacking on junk food. The food offered at the park is all about hotdogs, ice cream and sugary snacks.

The smell of Grandma's cookies baking in the oven might bring back feelings of love and security. While the smell of vegetables cooking might invoke a negative memory of having to finish their plate of vegetables before getting dessert.

Bribing a child to eat nutriously is a short term strategy that will generally backfire. "These contingency strategies are effective in the short run; they elicit the correct response, says Dr. Fisher, Ph.D, assistnant profession of Pediatrics at Baylor College of medicine. In a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Dr Fisher made a direct link to the eating patterns of children and their parents.

Dr. Fisher and her researchers made some startling discoveries surrounding the eating habits of children. The children of caregivers who ate lots of fruits and vegetables in turn had children who also ate the same types of foods. Alternatively, caregivers who only encouraged healthy eating but led an unhealthy eating lifestyle, had children who ate low amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Children will like and react to the power of influence. Because nitritious eating habits are as important for parents as it for the children, the commitment to eating healthier will be easy.

The moral of the study is that if you want your children to follow healthy eating habits, the general rule is you must show them - don't just instruct them.