[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you find the topic of feeding kids challenging or confusing, you’re not alone. With so much information out there, it can be tricky to know what is normal, or what really matters when it comes to nutrition for kids.
Since there is a lot of misinformation out there, it can be helpful to set the record straight by getting answers to some of the most common myths about nutrition for kids. Here are the answers to six common myths.
Nutrition for Kids: 6 Common Myths
Myth #1: Forcing your kids to try new foods is the best way to help with picky eating.
While it may seem like a good idea to try to force your child to eat certain foods that you perceive as healthy,
studies show that this may actually backfire. In reality, pressuring your child to eat something or having
controlling feeding practices can lead to a negative connotation and decreased liking of that food, and possibly lead to worse picky eating.
As a parent or caregiver, it is your responsibility to offer the foods, but it is up to the child to determine how much and whether they choose to eat it. This is an important part of
intuitive eating for kids.
Myth #2: If a child refuses to eat a food, you should not bother serving it again.
Kids are naturally reluctant to try new foods, so don’t write it off if they refuse to try or say they don’t like something the first time. In fact, research has shown that young children may need as many as
15 exposures before learning to accept a new food. Because kids base their
food choices on things they are familiar with, the more exposure, the better. So keep trying to
develop your child’s tastes! Serving previously rejected foods alongside foods your child already likes may help with food acceptance.
Myth #3: All kids should take vitamins.
The decision of whether to give a child a vitamin or other supplement is completely up to the caregivers. According to the
American Academy of Pediatrics, healthy children who eat a varied diet do not need to take
multivitamins. However, if a child has an extremely limited diet, has a medical condition or frequently gets sick, providing something like a multivitamin (or other related supplements geared towards children) may have some benefits.
For caregivers who do choose to provide supplements to their children, it is important to choose products without added sugar and which are free of artificial dyes, flavors and other additives. In addition, it is a good idea to look for brands that are third party tested for quality and safety. This is because supplements are
not well regulated by the
FDA. Examples of third party testing labels to look for on supplements include USP,
NSF, Consumer Lab and GMP.
Myth #4: Sugary foods make kids more hyperactive.
While this has been a widely held belief for decades,
research has shown that there is not actually a link between
sugar and hyperactivity. Instead, experts believe this association may simply be a product of the
placebo effect, where an outcome is experienced simply because it was expected. Some report that a lack of sleep or being in an exciting or overly stimulating environment (such as a birthday party) may actually be contributing to supposed hyperactivity. However, this does not apply to children who may have a condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD), which warrants a diagnosis from a doctor.
Nonetheless, this does not mean to imply a free pass to give kids all the sugar they want. Eating too many sugary foods can reduce a child’s appetite for more nutrient-dense foods like
whole grains, vegetables,
fruit and lean
protein. It can also increase their risk of
many diseases. So while sugary foods do not need to be avoided, they should ideally be served alongside other nutritious foods and encourage children to eat from a wide variety of food groups.
Myth #5: It is a good idea to use dessert as a bribe or reward.
This is a common practice in many households, but it may have undesirable side effects. Using sweets as a reward elevates those foods on a pedestal, which can make them something children are even more likely to obsess over. If sweets are reserved only for certain occasions, such as only after a child finished their dinner or completes a chore, it can be viewed as a form of restriction that may cause some children to
crave sweets even more and become out of control when they do get to enjoy them.
Reserving sweets as rewards may also cause a child to stray from their natural ability to
be intuitive eaters. They may begin to ignore hunger and fullness cues due to wanting whatever sweet food is being bribed.
Instead, parents and caregivers can allow frequent access to sweets without conditions. This practice may actually help kids naturally regulate their intake of sweets and be more inclined to eat more of other foods, since they will have trust that they can have the sweet food whenever they want and not feel the need to save room for it. Using things like a toy, desired activity, or quality time with a loved one may be better choices of rewards than food items.
Myth #6: You should never let a child skip a meal.
Like adults, kids have fluctuating appetites. Sometimes they may simply not feel hungry at mealtime, or they may be too distracted or interested in something other than eating. This does not need to be a cause for concern. Kids are excellent at self-regulating how much they need to eat, so if they miss out on one meal, they will probably make up for it later in the day or week.
As a parent or caregiver, you can do your part in offering the food without forcing. You can also remind the child that they will not have a chance to eat again until the next snack or mealtime, but allow them to make their own decisions about whether or not to eat.
You can read more about toddler diets and general nutrition for kids in this
complete guide for parents.
In summary
There is a lot involved when it comes to nutrition for kids, but knowing myths from facts can help simplify the process. Allowing kids to have some control over what and how much they eat and making all foods neutral can help kids regulate their own appetites and develop a healthy relationship with food.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168523" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693410182507{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/angies-boomchickapop-gluten-free-microwave-popcorn-lightly-sweet-kettle-corn"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168524" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693410200273{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/clif-kid-zbar-iced-oatmeal-cookie-24-bars"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="168525" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1693410216134{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/gogo-squeez-gogo-big-squeeze-fruit-on-the-go-variety-pack"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
