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Now I will say, as motivated as I felt after reading the book, there's one huge component we’re lacking here in America. Apparently, in France, their schools, governments, and communities all work “together to create food and education systems that support parents in feeding their children well.” I don’t know about you, but I oftentimes feel like others are working against me (not with me) when it comes to feeding our next generation well. My daughters eat more junk food at school than I would ever dream of giving them at home. I can’t imagine how much easier things would be if everyone in our society was on the same page like they appear to be in France.
But rather than waiting around for that to happen we must just take matters into our own hands. And what I have learned from my own children is that converting a picky eater requires a gentle, yet persistent approach and LOTS of patience! Winning over a picky eater is not something that will happen overnight, but if you really make it a priority in weeks, months, or even a year I guarantee you will start to see some of the dramatic changes you are hoping for. And in the end it will of course be worth the effort.
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10 great takeaways (the “French Food Rules”) from the book French Kids Eat Everything:
- Parents: You are in charge of your children’s food education.
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Apparently the French think us Americans cram our schedules so full with activities (like sports, art, music, dance, etc.) that it leaves little time to teach our children "some of the most basic, important things they need to know, like the proper way to prepare, cook, and eat healthy food." You have to admit it's hard to argue with that criticism. And I just love the analogy the author uses when she says, "French parents think about healthy eating habits the way we think about toilet training, or reading." If your child had trouble learning to read or using the potty would you just give up? Same should go for eating a variety of healthy foods...I know, they are right and it stings.
- - Avoid emotional eating. Food is not a pacifier, a distraction, a toy, a bribe, a reward, or a substitute for discipline.
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I feel like we are so far down this rabbit hole it might be hard to get out, but let’s face it they have a good point here! Food is for nourishment, hunger, and nutrition...not for being a good listener.
- - Parents schedule meals and menus. Kids eat what adults eat: no substitutes and no short-order cooking.
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If this were a reality for everyone it would certainly make life a lot easier!
- - Food is social. Eat family meals together at the table, with no distractions.
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How you eat can be as important as what you eat.
- - Eat vegetables of all colors of the rainbow. Don’t eat the same main dish more than once per week.
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I agree that variety is extremely important, but I am personally a little stumped when it comes to the second half of this rule. We love leftovers at our house and feel they are such a time saver...but that certainly means eating the same main dish more than once, or in some cases, more than twice per week!
- - For picky eaters: You don’t have to like it, but you do have to taste it.
For fussy eaters: You don’t have to like it, but you do have to eat it.
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When considering these statements it's also VERY important to remember that "you're not going to convince the kids to love food by being too strict with them. It has to be enjoyable. Not necessarily loads of fun, but simply pleasurable." This takes us back to that "gentle persistence" I mentioned above.
- - Limit snacks, ideally one per day (two maximum), and not within one hour of meals.
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Now, I know out of all the rules on this list that "no more constant snacking" will likely cause the most uproar. But according to the author it's okay to feel hungry in-between meals and guess what...your kids might eat a better dinner if they are actually hungry!
- - Take your time, for both cooking and eating. Slow food is happy food.
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"North Americans associate food most with health and least with pleasure. The French are at the opposite extreme: they are the most pleasure-oriented and the least health-oriented about food." And ironically enough "20 percent of kids in the United States are obese, but only 3 percent in France." Now if that doesn't send a message, I don't know what does.
- - Eat mostly real, homemade food, and save treats for special occasions. (Hint: Anything processed is not “real” food.)
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See...I am not the only one preaching this statement! :) But "so much of what French people eat is, by default, 'real food'" so I'd have to say they don't exactly face the same challenges we do when it comes to encountering junk food on almost every corner. The French do have an admirable approach though when it comes to the processed, junk food their kids may want to eat on occasion. They do not police their children's food intake (or ban all junk food), but instead attempt to "train their children to eat a balanced diet and to realize how much healthier they feel if they eat mostly 'real food.'" I've always said that if my daughters only avoid processed food "because mommy said so" then it's not going to get us very far.
- - (The Golden Rule) Eating is joyful, not stressful. Treat the food rules as habits or routines rather than strict regulations; it’s fine to relax them once in a while.
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I couldn't agree more with the importance of this rule, but striking the perfect balance between "good nutrition" and "relaxing the rules" is no easy task. And maybe that's because most American children are faced with processed, junk food on a regular basis (at birthday parties, friend's houses, church events, soccer practice, school celebrations, etc.). As I mentioned above, our society is (unfortunately) not exactly working together on these issues like they are in France. Regardless though, I agree it is not "healthy" to constantly be stressed out about the food you eat.
In addition to this list of rules there were so many other startling facts and insightful statements that I took away from this book. I wish I could share them all here, but since that's not a very practical idea I will instead just highly recommend that everyone go out and read the book yourselves! I promise you won't regret it...not to mention there are a handful of kid-friendly recipes in the back.
*THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED*
The winners are:
- Ann - "I abide by the kids eat what adults eat rule and don’t offer other options. We also stick to real foods, minimal sugar. So I think that helps kids eat real food without complaint."
- Emily - "My husband can be a picky eater, so my trick is preparing the same food a number of times. He may not like everything, but perseverance pays off!"
- Nicky - "Rule #6 is the big one in our house….even if you’ve tasted it 50 times, taste it again!"
Adrianne says
Like on FB!
Adrianne says
My best tip is to not announce you are eating healthy to them! You wouldn’t put chicken nuggets with a side of mac and cheese down and announce you’re eating fun stuff so why feel the need to announce healthy eating. You’ll just call attention to your plan. Shhhhhh!
Amy P. says
1. Get your spouse on board! 2. Don't give up. 3. Experiment with different cooking methods/recipes for the problem food(s). - I'm still working on #1 :) Amazing how much easier it is to get the boys to try new foods when Dad isn't complaining about the "green stuff" on his plate!
Tracy says
Puree veggies and add to soups and sauces
Marcy says
I'm a FB fan! :)
Marcy says
Throwing raw spinach in smoothies!
Amanda says
Would love to read this!
Kristen Bosley says
Like :)
Shawnna says
I follow you on facebook
Anna says
like on FB
Kristen Bosley says
I always let me kids help me cook! The more involved they are the more likely they are to try something new.
Shawnna says
Ketchup
Anna says
Our kids are not picky eaters because they're only 3 and we've been consistent on giving them foods even when they're determined they don't like it and won't eat it. We never push them to finish everything, but they must *try* everything. I used to be a very picky eater, and being married and having kids that I wish would always eat well has been the best thing for me. I never want to make faces or say negative things about food until they've eaten and decided for themselves if they like it. So I just eat it myself!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Jennifer Doherty says
I mix veggies in with fruit. But mine is still pretty little.
Ann says
Like you on Facebook
Emily e. says
Like!
Ann says
I abide by the kids eat what adults eat rule and don't offer other options. We also stick to real foods, minimal sugar. So I think that helps kids eat real food without complaint.
Emily e. says
If I am making something new that I think my girls may not like, I will sometimes invite them to help me or at least air on the counter and watch. That way they see the ingredients and realize they like everything!
Melissa says
If we are trying a new food/meal and my children protest, my rule is: you need to take as many bites as how old you are. My 5 year old takes 5 bites, my 6 year old takes 6. Of course, as they age I will have to create a maximum bite limit but hopefully soon they might not protest. :)
Joanna Andres says
LIke
Tamela camp says
My picky vegetable eaters eat them better when we grow them. Also making homemade dips for them to dip their veggies in makes them eat lots more.
Joanna Andres says
I like telling my kids the benefits of certain foods, IE carrots are good for your eyes, spinach makes your muscles bigger, bananas give you energy. It helps them want to try it and I make it fun by telling them I notice their muscles have gotten bigger after eating some broccoli.
Mary G says
"like"
Mary G says
We are very fortunate because we have assumed from birth that our son would always eat whatever we eat. Other than mainly home-made baby food, we have never done anything special. At four, our son is considered a "foodie" by most, and he loves all kinds of things. He is also eager to expand his range, and experiments with things such as edible flowers and wants to learn more about edible insects. He has far surpassed my willingness to experiment :-). He loves to cook and wants to be involved in food prep no matter what we are making. That said, we have a friend with an eight year old son who subsists on mac and cheese from a box, white rice, steak, and soda. I would love to win this book for his mama who has reached her wit's end!
Lisa says
like..actually LOVE your blog and all of the tips I receive! Thanks
Miranda says
Like you on FB
Laura says
I have to admit, I am probably what you describe as a "fussy eater". I just don't always want what's healthy. I use the same approach with kids that I use with myself. If you're truely hungry, you'll eat what's offered.
Erin says
Like!
Jenny says
Like
Erin says
I try to get veggies in anyway that I can (even if it means sneaking them into desserts.) :o)
Elizabeth Tomany says
Like
Miranda says
My kids will eat lots if I give them hummus to dip it in.
Elizabeth Tomany says
I second the roasting tip.... I have learned to enjoy vegetables MUCH more by roasting and my little guy loves them too!! We also LOVE incorporating pureed and small diced vegetables in different foods to up our intake of vegetables.
Jenny says
I try to make it fun! Make food into shapes that they recognize. We made a bunny out of a pea h, almonds, cloves, and cottage cheese. My kids would not eat those things if they saw them in the container. It makes it look more interesting!
Lisa says
my kids know they are required to take a "no thank you bite" of each dish on the table, it they whine or complain about the rule...they will need to take 2 "no thank you bites". Most of the time they like it and are glad they took a bite - wanting more. Other times it seems they learn to like it eventually with the no thank you bite system.
Callie says
Like!
Tiffany moss says
Like!!
Callie says
We've been making our own kefir (probiotic dairy drink) and blending it with fruits (and sometimes veggies, pb, etc) to make a super smoothie. My 20-month-old, who goes through picky stages, seems to like these and gets a LOT of nutrients, calories, etc. in a few sips!
Tiffany moss says
I have 5 kids and two of them have scensory issues so I deal with lots of picky eaters. My tip is that if they don't like a food, we try the same ingredients but prepared a new way!
Kristin F says
Like