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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!"
Brandy mayer says
I make my kids taste everything. They don't always love what I have made but after a couple of times they eat it willingly.
Darcie says
We have never presented certain foods to our kids with any more disdain or approval than another. We never set them up to not like vegetables (or anything else for that matter) and they were presented like every other food. They get treats but understand they must be enjoyed in moderation. Our daughter actually prefers fruit! From the time they've eat with us, they've eaten what we eat and I think this makes a huge difference!
Brenda yost says
My daughter has autism and lots of sensory issues with it but we have just instinctly done some of this.... She eats what I fix for dinner or has nothing unless it is just too spicy for her. I have no advice other then as above model the behavior you want
Gina says
My 18 month old daughter lives when she can puck veggies right out of the garden and et them. She is already understanding where her food comes from!
Covey Denton says
Like--Facebook Fan too :)
Kami Balmforth says
I LOVE this book. I don't even have children but I have enough eating issues for a family of 5. I would love to have a copy!!
christy k says
Like :-)
Covey Denton says
I have three great eaters. Our motto is "you get what you get and are happy with it." They don't always like everything on their plate but they do a great job trying new stuff. I've always just served them what we are having and expected them to eat it. I remember that my one year old's favorite food (what I mad ehim on his bday) was Jumbalaya! I've always spiced their food with everything except salt to help them have adventurous palettes. Can't wait to see if I get the book . . .seems like it will be awesome to read.
Josi says
Really enjoyed this!
christy k says
I make things from scratch and get my lo to help in the kitchen. He is still horribly picky so this book would be a great tool.
Nic says
Like
Victoria says
First I don't label my little girl a "picky eater". Second I have her be involved in picking and preparing our food. She has to eat what we eat, but I always incorporate one thing (veggie, fruit, or protein) I know she will eat in her meal so she won't be hungry and she feels some success in finishing a meal along with us. It's a huge deal and a big party at our table when she tries something new!!
Amy says
Picky eater tip: Let them look for recipes with you and help you cook. My daughter is always willing to at least try something if she had a hand in preparing the meal.
April says
I have a couple of picky eaters in my home.. I try to encourage them to at least try the food.. If they really don't like I will mark it on their "Foods I Don't Like" list.. Then when they are a little older we can try those foods out again in the hopes that they might like them. :-)
Kelly b says
I always try to make one thing that I know they will like and tell them eat what u don't like first, and they always do because the
Jessica says
I follow on FB
Sally D. says
"like"
JJ says
My young adult son with Autism and I follow a Gluten Free/Casein Free/Soy free diet, and avoid mostly all processed foods. We are not perfect... we stray on occasion from the diet and almost always there are digestive and behavioral consequences! We don't have a choice but to prepare our food at home, as wheat and milk and soy are in practically everything! Both in school and throughout our family, we've been ridiculed for our diet (my oldest son thinks we're a bunch of hippies!lol) When we do eat fast food, we often feel sick afterwards. Peer pressure, even amongst individuals with Autism, pushes folks towards unhealthy alternatives.
Sally D. says
I always show a excited attitude about new foods. Sometimes kids will do things just because they think they are missing out of some of the fun.
Elizabeth says
When I make turkey burgers, I finely chop cabbage or other leafy greens and mix them with the meat. I add a little seasoning and no one is the wiser! In fact, my family prefers them over "the real thing"!
Jen says
Keep presenting the veggies, and healthy foods. Sometimes it takes 20+ times, but eventually they will try it, and maybe like it!
Elizabeth says
LIKE! I FOLLOW FB!!!
Jessica says
I really don't have a tip because my picky eater is only 22 months, but I sure will accept any tips!
Elizabeth says
Having my daughter in the shopping and prepping has made it fun for her to eat all the veggies we eat!
April says
** Like **
Chantel Devalk says
We do a "please" and no thank you bite. Please try one bite and no thank you if you don't like it!!
Diane Turner says
I always got my son to try different foods, I never said I hated any foods (cherries are the only thing I truly hate, anyway) so my son tried different things. He also helped in the kitchen. Now he is 19, he loves to eat most anything and has gotten me (!) to change my habits, we are eating healthier and he even loves to cook liver!! (and of course I eat it, cause I don't want to hurt his feelings)
Trina says
I never gave my daughter anything but all natural foods. She never even tasted cake until after she was 2 years old. I think building a solid foundation for healthy food choices when they are infants builds better food choices as a toddler/child.
Rachael says
like!
Lisa says
As a mom of 5 picky eaters I let them search out new recipes they want to try. Each week they submit something for my approval (nutrition and universal appeal) and we vote. The child that selected the recipe that is voted upon, helps makes it and is exempt from clean up.....so there is incentive all the way around. We have added 23 new meals to the "we all like" list from this and only 2 that we wont try again.
sari rupp says
Like
sari rupp says
I like throwing veggies into anything with speghetti sauce, it covers up the flavor but adds a lot of nutrients to the dish!
Gabrielle Lynas says
Like
Ellen says
like!
Gabrielle Lynas says
For picky eaters: I always encourage my kids to taste everything on their plate. When necessary, I bribe them and 50% of the time they end of liking the item they are being bribed to eat!
Brittany S says
Like
Lulu says
Like!
Rachael says
No snacking is our rule. When my kids would get snacks from neighbors, grandparents, etc. we had a hard time getting them to eat meals. Since we became of this we told those who were giving them snacks that it needed to stop....as well as telling our children that the snacks weren't good for them. Now, they're hungry at meal time and eat what is in front of them because they know those choices are the only decisions. We also only give our kids water and milk. Never gave them juice. And now guess what they always ask for to drink....water! : )
Brittany S says
My "rule" is that you should always try a new food at least twice! The first time may have simply been a bad batch :)
Lulu says
Just continue to encourage, encourage, encourage! I feel that if a food is given enough times and a child sees parents and family eating it eventually they will learn to eat it too! I was raised to always eat what was put in front of me and that method worked and has continued to work!