Dr. Brian Wansink's Tips

Dr. Brian Wansink's Tips

Child Nutrition Insights

Dr. Wansink, co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs, and the Cornell Food and Brand Lab offer helpful hints1 on encouraging children to eat wholesome food.

  • You cannot force anyone to eat well. But people are easily swayed. Banning a food causes rebellion. Giving people two healthy options and a choice between them, like a Mom saying, “do you want carrots or apples?” causes a steep rise in the consumption of carrots and apples
  • Have regular family meals: kids who take part in regular family meals are more likely to eat fruits, vegetables and grains and less likely to snack on unhealthy foods.
  • Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
  • Avoid battles over food.
  • Involve kids in the process, especially menu planning and cooking.
  • YOU decide which foods to buy and when to serve them: make sure what you bring into the house is really what you want your family eating.
  • Let kids make choices from several healthy food options: they will enjoy exercising their freedom of choice and will gain valuable experience in developing healthy eating habits.
  • Encourage drinking plain water in place of high calorie low nutrient sodas or sweetened juices and juice drinks.
  • DON’T make “cleaning your plate” an issue at mealtime, or use mealtimes or food as a reward or discipline. Use verbal praise, a hug or other non-food techniques as a reward.
  • Kids are more likely to enjoy items with which they are familiar. Although your child may not like a particular veggie at first, continue to offer it! The more times a child sees a vegetable, the more likely he or she is to try it.

3 http://www.smarterlunchrooms.org/parents.html