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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!"
Kayla says
My 4 yr old came out picky!! If I nursed her out of the "wrong" side she would fuss. Now trying to switch to real fool has been hard but keep trying! It took her 2 hrs for her to eat 1/2 of a bean and cheese burrito. The next time it only took 35 min. She now knows she has to taste everything!! It is still hard but we wii get there!
Tricia says
I h
Tricia says
I have the worlds m
Taylor B. says
LIKE!
Taylor B. says
My husband and I believe that if the kids are a part of the exciting preparation of food, that they seem to appreciate eating what they have created! Plus they're learning valuable cooking skills at the same time!
Trish says
Some good ideas here...I'd love to read the book!
kappie says
Like
Lee says
Like!
kappie says
Best tip: picky kids eat anything when hungry. I've learned to cut down on snacks
Lee says
Like many others we require our daughter to at least try one bite of everything on her plate, even if it has been previously rejected.
Adele says
What worked in our family was requiring a few bites of everything, whether we like it or not. my mom NEVER prepared special "kid meals." we had to eat what the family ate, and it was good for us to learn to do that.
Erin says
We never force our daughter to clean her plate. We always encourage her to take one bite and to try the new foods on her plate in addition to eating familiar foods. This helps create a positive eating environment.
Kolleen says
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Kolleen says
Thankfully, I don't have any picky eaters. But I do think that patience is key. Take it slow, don't force them to eat all of the "trouble food" and try it again (perhaps cooked or seasoned a different way) in a few days.
Jena says
Like
Jena says
I gave my son 5 choices of something new to try. He picked one and tried it! If I ask him to try just one thing he won't.
april says
My picky eater loves cheese. So I spead out her cheese throughout the day to help cover some of the textures she has not accepted yet. I also hide certain veggies in pancakes and muffins
Kristen says
My 2 year old twins will eat everything. Just as I did growing up. My parents never had separate meals for them and me. Since my twins started eating we always offered them whatever it was that we were having for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. (except if there was an age recommendation from our doctor (eggs,fish, etc). My mother always prepared "real" food for dinner. When we would eat out I was always allowed to eat off the adult menu. I have raised my older two daughters the same way. My twins actually get a choice of what they want on the ocassions we go out to eat. They never choose chicken fingers, mac n cheese or any other "fake" food that might be on a kids menu. They also try everything that is put in front of them. One of the twins actually begs to eat broccoli. They also never drink juice, only have water and milk - and it's their choice. They don't like the taste of juice. Snacks are fresh fruit or any other non-processed food we might have at home. They go grocery shopping with me and at the age of two can name most fruits and vegetables on their own. They also help prepared meals as much as they can.
Kristi says
Getting kiddos involved with making foods makes them want to eat it or at least try it. Also having a healthy dip available works too.
Paula DeFilippo says
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Paula DeFilippo says
When kids get involved in the preparation of the food, it makes them more likely to eat it. Planting a garden together, or even grocery shopping with kids is a great way to get them involved.
Rebecca says
Serve foods they love alongside new things!
Caileigh says
Like! :)
Caileigh says
This is kind of a trick/tip that I use for myself as I am a picky eater (and slowly growing out of it)-
I'll let someone else pick the restaurant or bring over food/meal and not allowed to say anything about it (mostly to save off embarrassment in explaining that i am picky). I go into the meal telling myself that I must try a bite of something new. Usually I don't have to talk myself into it cause once I'm out with other people I want to try the new things on the table (especially if I find out something is super healthy!). I love being able to brag to people that I tried it/that I now have a new favorite food!
Jennifer says
Trying so hard with my 2 year old (next week!) Its really hard when they're in school. They get so many snacks! We're doing our best and are having some better results as he grows.
Mary Snyder says
Like
Marie Monaco says
if it's squishy (fruit or veggie) lets juice it
Mary Snyder says
My kids have to eat the number of bites they are old. So, the 4 year old eats 4 bites of a food she does not prefer and the 7 year old 7.
Whitney says
Picky eater tip- establish "adult" foods as the norm. Kids will choose simplified, sugary, kid-marketed foods if that is what they have been introduced to first. Instead, serve kids a portion of the softer foods that you and your husband are eating, and then progress to the foods that require more careful bites and chewing. Young children love to mimic adults. If they see you eating and enjoying real food, then they'll be more inclined to do the same.
Merri says
And LIKE! I'm a fan on facebook
Merri says
Luckily I don't have any picky eaters... yet. I tried to eat a wide variety of foods while pregnant & breastfeeding. And now my 2 year old daughter eats just about everything! Some days she eats more than others, but there isn't a single food item that she constantly refuses. I also made all of her baby food and tried to infuse flavor from the very beginning. Our favorites were vanilla-balsamic pears and curried carrots! She eats what we eat, and people are always commenting to us what a good eater she is.
Tina says
Like!
Melissa Taylor says
like
Jennifer says
became a fan on fb two weeks ago and have loved your tips, product and book reviews.
Tina says
I really have no tips. I am really struggling with my son! Love the take your time tip!
Melissa Taylor says
Our 4 year is actually a good eater. Our rule has always been: You have to try one bite. If you don't like it, spit it out and don't eat any more. I have been 100% consistent with this so she trusts me. However, now that she has good language skills, she will turn her nose up at anything that "sounds" suspicious. To combat this, we started a garden and got her a couple of kids cookbooks. She gets to help plan & cook some meals - ownership wins every time!
Katie Meek says
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Jennifer says
Take your kids to the grocery store or farmers' market and tell them that they can pick out a new fruit or veggie to try at dinner that night. Whatever they pick out by themseves, they are more apt to eat it! When they feel that they get to decide on some of the dishes, they are more invested and likely to try something new!
Sarae says
also a fan on FB.. that's where I found you =)
Katie Meek says
Don't give up, keep trying!