Everyday Foods and Sometimes Foods for Children

As adults, we may have been taught to think about food as “good” or “bad”. But this wasn’t always the case. Before food products, convenience meals and takeaway food became such a big part of our food choices, we just ate food. Sometimes we would eat more of a food because it made our bodies feel good, because we knew we needed it, or because it was cheaper or easier to access.

Labelling food as good or bad can make us feel guilty about our food choices. This can result in disordered eating behaviours such as restricting food, overeating, and emotional eating. It is also less likely to encourage us to eat foods that are better choices. In fact, labelling food as “healthy” means we are less likely to believe it will be enjoyable.

Kids don’t have these strange adult ideas about foods, unless they learn them from the adults around them. In general, kids have an amazing ability to eat to their energy requirements. This is especially true if we offer them mostly nourishing foods and leave them to choose how much they will eat.

However, some foods are indeed more nourishing than others. These foods provide our bodies with the nutrients they need and not too much of the things our bodies don’t need. They are the foods from the Five Food Groups. We can just call them by their names, e.g. milk, apple, hummus, celery, bread. If we do want to use a collective word, then “everyday” foods is a useful term. Try not to call them “good” or “healthy” foods.

Some foods contain fewer essential nutrients and may be higher in saturated or trans fats, added sugar, and sodium (salt). These foods include cakes, biscuits, chips, lollies, chocolate, high fat takeaway foods, salty snacks, fizzy and sweetened drinks. If we only offer these to our kids sometimes then they will eat less of them. We can just use their names, e.g. “Would you like a piece of cake with your strawberries?”. But if we do want to use a collective word, then “sometimes” foods can be helpful.

How can you help your children to eat mostly nourishing or “everyday” foods? Firstly, offer them mostly nourishing foods. Secondly, don’t pressure, bribe or coax them to eat food. And thirdly, when you are offering your children “sometimes” or less nourishing foods, do it without fuss. They aren’t being offered the food because it is a treat or because they have been good. They are being offered the food because you made the choice to offer it.

For tips on how to talk about food with your children, check out the PICNIC Project website – www.picnicproject.com.au.