Your toddler’s eating habits are an extension of your lifestyle

Children’s eating habits are an extension of lifestyle. When a child has a health issue that is lifestyle related, uncompromised compliance and involvement from the parents will ensure that the situation changes. No child is born with bad eating habits. Feeding is a survival mechanism but the meaning we attach to that mechanism will set us up with either a good relationship with food or a dependence akin to a drug addiction.

If you want to know what is wrong with a child’s eating habits, take a look at what is happening in the home and at school.

Children experience stress, too

Once considered to be the domain of adults, even young children may experience unprecedented levels of stress which influences not only their behaviour, their relationships with their parents and peers, but also their self-esteem and the need to nurture with food.

Sources of stress are numerous and it is the responsibility of the parent to encourage communication, creative problem-solving and balance without criticism. If this cannot be managed by the parent, a therapist is essential.

The brain is designed to deal with stress for no more than thirty seconds on average. It is not designed for long term stress, especially the kind where you feel like you have no control.

Stress damages memory, motor skills, executive function and your immune response. When the long term repercussions are measured, unrelenting stress such as the type of stress that exists in an abusive, critical or otherwise unhappy family environment actually causes the brain to physically shrink. The stress a child experiences at home will affect their performance at school, and vice versa.

Stress creeps into the food domain when it disrupts sleep patterns and the onset of depression. When we are exhausted we crave sugary and fatty foods, as well as caffeine to stay awake. I call this “pseudo-energy” as it has nothing to do with real vitality, but is rather an energy borne of adrenal overload. The resulting low serotonin levels associated with anxiety and depression also stimulate the survival response, or the quick sugar fix. When a person is so busy consuming high calorie, sugar laden foods in an emotionally turbulent state there is typically very little space or desire for healthy nutrition.

Sugar is a drug – like it or not.

We would like to believe that the hype around sugar is no more than drama-mongering by puritan foodies. Unfortunately, the puritan foodiess are right.

People die from diseases every day that started (and ended) with their relationship to sugar. By sugar I am referring to high fructose corn syrup, which appears in just about every kind of sweetened convenience food, drink and confectionary. As well as good old table sugar. Of course there is a place for sugar, but when the average person has no idea about moderation it is good practice to abstain as much as possible.

Possibly the most interesting research regarding sugar is not only sugar’s effect on the endocrine system, but the effect on the brain. Researchers reported in the Neuroscience & Bio-behavioral Review Report in 2008 that “intermittent dietary sugar consumption alters extracellular dopamine in the brain, much in the way an addictive drug does. Moreover, when this intermittent sugar consumption ceases, dopamine levels are affected and signs of withdrawal can become evident. Not only can extracellular dopamine levels be affected but so too can the dopamine receptors themselves.” The sugar addicts and chocoholics were right!

But what would a childhood be without the occasional treat?

Teaching your toddler food values

This is really not as challenging as it seems. Again, does the parent have self-control or do they binge on chocolates while veg’ing out in front of the TV? The central message begs the question: Where are the role models?

There is definitely room for sweets, cakes and chocolates in a healthy diet, providing it is not a daily occurrence, but something that happens infrequently.

1. Quality rather than quantity

The concept of quality rather than quantity is another point to consider. If you are going to eat something special and out of the ordinary, make it worthwhile. Value for money is not always about getting a whole heap of food at a good price, but rather paying a bit more and getting something exceptional. This is a great value to teach children, and does not only relate to food.

2. Prepare food from scratch

It is a known fact that when parents take the time to prepare nutritionally balanced meals from scratch and eat those meals as a family, the prevalence of obesity within the family diminishes notably. If you can manage just one thing in the interest of your child’s health, freshly prepared and balanced meals should be it.

3. Teach your children to eat slowly and enjoy their meals

Furthermore, meals should be eaten slowly, with enjoyment and mindfulness, while sitting down. Meal times should be a time to talk with your children and show an interest in what they did during the day. This is not a time for debates and arguments. A healthy, nutritious dessert should include nothing more than a piece of fresh fruit.

4. Snacking is healthy and should be encouraged

Snacking is healthy. Humans should eat every two to three hours, providing the snacks are whole foods and preferably contain a form of protein. Stock your fridge with chopped up vegetables, fresh fruit, low fat dairy and whole grain crackers so that healthy choices are always on hand, rather than cookies and preservative-laden snack foods. There is nothing wrong with snacking on a wholesome vegetable soup any time of the day, especially if your kids don’t enjoy fresh vegetables. Try to avoid instant soups, as these are full of flour and sodium.

5. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day

What you eat for breakfast sets up your blood sugar and therefore your self-control for the next twelve hours. Always start the day with protein, low GI carbs and healthy fats. If you don’t have time or simply can’t stomach large breakfasts, there are plenty of great meal replacement shakes. However there is also a lot of junk masquerading as health food, so do your homework.

There are numerous interventions we can adopt to slowly change our attitude towards food. None will take permanent hold until we address the underlying issues mentioned earlier.

Perhaps the greatest tool is simply having an open mind. Knowing that we have choices and really want to give our children the best possible chance at a life, free from serious health concerns, is very liberating.

About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za

Article Credit: Nicci Robertson is the founder of the Re-Invent Company and author of the Re-Invent Wellness Coaching Methodology. She is a clinical nutritionist, master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming and Psycho-neuro immunology.

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