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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!"
Deepika says
Like!
Amy says
my kids help in the garden and the grocery store- we all cook together and decide the meals as a family..... surprisingly they will try anything- sometimes several times. We talk about our tastebuds needing time to see if they like things...having three trying to be "braver" than the others is always good too! They have been good eaters since they started. We never ran a restaurant, it was one healthy meal - eat it or wait until the next. No one likes to wait--- we don't have a clean plate club, but good choices. Would love to read the book!!
Tanya says
We stick to a two bite rule with any foods my kids think they don't like.
Julie R-H says
Like <3
Tanya says
Like!
kristin says
Smoothies and straws....anything in a fun "shake" always is our
best bet
Annmarie says
Like!
Joanne willoughby says
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Annmarie says
We have 5 children and not one has been a picky eater. They enjoy healthy foods and maintain a healthy weight. The only food rule we have is if Daddy eats it, then everyone has to eat it and vice versa. Not too many things my husband does not like - zukes and chick peas, so I don't make those in our meals. If I do they are optional.
Deepika says
Making desserts with a puree of assorted beans!
Amy Street says
we cut the food into small bites. Often, our kids are overwhelmed with new food that looks too big for their little mouths. Something easier for them to chew is easier to get them to eat (and eventually like).
Jadah Sellner says
Already like you!
Jadah Sellner says
Our picky eater is tip is green smoothies all the way. They not only help my daughter get her greens and actually enjoy spinach on it's own, but my husband and I get more dark leafy greens in our diet too. Here is my new favorite green smoothie recipe with kale, coconut oil and broccoli: http://familysponge.com/blending/green-smoothie-pineapple-kale-coconut-oil/ I even made green smoothie popsicles with the leftovers. :-)
Joanne willoughby says
My 1 1/2 year old granddaughter used to eat ANYTHING. Now she says no to what she loved last week! So when we go to pick cherry tomatoes in the garden, I repeatedly let her bite one even though she usually spits them out once the juice gets in her mouth. I figure one of these times she will start to chew it. I usually finish eating them if they are only cracked. But at least she wants to try them so hopefully one day her appetite will come back. Otherwise she eats pretty well. I got her to try one of my "green" smoothies I make by putting a straw in it! She gulped it down! Lol
Cate says
I am a picky eater - I eat like a 3-year-old. I'm trying to break my eating issues though. I make myself try things like fish, tomatoes, broccoli and pears now when I have the option. I have started buying real food and stopped the frozen meals. My friend whose kids are the BEST eaters in the world gave suggestions on how to prepare things I dont like in different ways until I can find a texture I can handle. That's helped me realized that while I cannot STAND broccoli cooked (bakes, steamed, etc.) I do like it raw!
Marjo B says
I became a fan on facebook! Thanks.
Teresa says
Like
Marjo B says
Hi! I think it's a good idea to explain to children and other picky eaters why the food you are serving is good for them! And be enthusiastic about it yourself, eat a lot of it and never complain. ;)
Teresa says
For a new or not enjoyed food...everyone has to have at least two bites of it. The first to taste it and the second to confirm they do or do not enjoy the taste of the new or not enjoyed food.
Debra says
Like!
Debra says
The way I get kids to eat more vegetables is to talk about how healthy they are for you. I tell them they are God's food just as he made it for us and it is putting good food into our bodies that will prevent disease and make us look and feel better. I also model it by eating vegetables and fruits often and talking about how good they are!
Los Meyer says
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Los Meyer says
We have a 5 Veggies bite rule. The kids can choose what veggies they have, but they have to have 5 bites or 5 pieces, depending on what it is.
Janine Burns says
What really helped this summer was setting the lunch and dinner table fancy! Plating the food for the kids and serving it restuarant style. And of course not watching tv or for me reading at the table but taking time to eat. My kids are 6 and 8 so I have been involving them more in shopping and why we buy certain items. I have been cooking more and including them. I even had my daughter peel the almond skin off the almonds to make the milk. We talk about farm vs factory foods. This came from a summer workbook. Wish I could take the credit. We talk about that a lot and the kids bring it up on their own. I would love to learn more about the French style and would love to share what Ilearn with others. I seem to talk about food A LOT!
Kristy says
Like!!
Kristy says
My kids aren't allowed anything but fruits and vegetables within 1 1/2 hours from lunch and dinner. Cuts down on unhealthy snacking and they still eat a good meal.
Denise says
like
Jodi Stanford says
My daughter was an extremely picky eater as a child. She is a little better now as an adult but I pretty much failed in my attempts to broaden her food horizons. I admire and encourage all of you to follow the hints above and read this book. I'm hoping the book will help my daughter with her children.
Ashley says
Like!!!
Heather C says
like! LOVE!
Ashley says
I just checked this book out of the library and would LOVE to own my very own copy--the recipes at the back of the book look so delicious! Tips for converting a picky eater-- don't cave in and fix something different than what is being served. Let them know they can either eat what's being served or leave the table hungry. And lots of patients for sure!
Denise says
I worried about my first born picky eater who like everything bland, bland, bland: buttered noodles, sugary cereal, peanut butter and white bread. And that was about it! Surprisingly, as a 25-year old she eats vegetables of all types and is impressively health-conscious. Knowing this has helped me relax a little with my youngest, who is also picky picky picky (my middle child loves to try new foods and rarely finds one he doesn't like)
Cheryl says
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Heather C says
When I make a new vegetable I only give my daughter as many bites as she is old. She is 3. So she only needs to eat 3 peas.
Cheryl says
I serve foods they don't like again and again They often find they like them after trying them several times
christina m. says
We make fun names for our foods like broccoli we call it trees.
Molly says
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Emily M. says
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Molly says
We encourage the "No Thank You" bite; you must take one bite before saying "no thank you" to what is on the plate.
Emily M. says
Always try it before say they don't like it!