10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Child About Food - Maryann Jacobsen (2024)

As parents, we all say things to encourage our kids to eat healthier. Yet in our modern, food-centric environment, even well-intentioned comments can be translated into negatives that hinder eating.

So here are 10 common “food statements” parents often say to kids, how kids’ are likely to translate the information, and more effective things to say and do.

1. “See, your (sister, brother, cousin, friend) is eating it, why don’t you?”

Translation: “He/she is a better eater than me.”

A better thing to say: “I know you’ll get there, sweety. It takes time — and many tastes– to learn to like a new food.”

Rationale: Instead of feelings of inferiority, you want to instill confidence that the child can and will like the food in their own time.

2. “You used to like blueberries — you are so picky!”

Translation: “Maybe I won’t grow out of this picky-eating thing?”

A better thing to do: Don’t call attention to picky eating. Instead, make eating an enjoyable experience.

Rationale: Avoid labeling children as “picky” as this is a normal stage of development and the label tends to stick.

3. “For the last time, no, you cannot have ice cream!”

Translation: “I’m never getting ice cream again!”

A better thing to say: “We are not having ice cream now because lunch is a half-hour away. We’ll have ice cream one day this week for dessert.”

Rationale: Children accept no much better when they know why they can’t have it and when they will have it again.

4. “You didn’t eat enough. Take a few more bites and then you can leave the table.”

Translation: “Mom/dad/empty plate (external signals) is a better judge of when I’m done eating than what I’m feeling inside.”

A better thing to say: “Make sure you got enough to eat because the next meal won’t be until (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time).”

Rationale: When children are in charge of how much to eat, they learn how to effectively manage hunger (hint: sometimes mistakes have to be made). Check out the latest study on why this is true.

5. “If you eat some of your veggies, you can have dessert.”

Translation: “I can’t wait until the day I don’t have to eat my veggies — and can go straight to dessert!”

A better thing to do: Instead ofnagging and food rewarding, offer tasty vegetables often and model healthy eating.

Rationale: Research shows that children learn to prefer the reward food over the “have to eat” food.

6. “Good job!” (after eating more than usual)

Translation: “Mommy and daddy are proud of me when I eat more food or finish my plate.”

A better thing to say: “You always do a good job eating when you listen to your tummy.”

Rationale: Praising children for eating more food teaches them quantity is preferable to following one’s appetite which varies from meal to meal.

7. “Eat this, it’s good for you.”

Translation: “It tastes bad.”

A better thing to say: “This tastes really good and is similar to X that you like.”

Rationale: Studies show taste rules children’s food preferences and they benefit from getting more information about a new item.

8. “If you are good in the store, you can have a cookie” or “If you don’t stop doing that, you won’t be getting ice cream tonight”

Translation: “Every time I’m good, I should get a treat!”

A better thing to do: Let them know ahead of time the consequence that will happen if they misbehave — and leave food out of it.

Rationale: Think about the long-term effects of constantly rewarding with food. For example, in a 2003 study published in Eating Behaviors, adults who remembered food being used to reward and punish were more likely to binge eat and diet.

9. “We don’t eat cake often because it is bad for you.”

Translation: “I like everything that is bad for me (Bad = pleasure)”

A better thing to say: “Cake is not something we eat all the time. We’ll have some cake this weekend at Jake’s birthday party.”

Rationale: Labeling food as “good” and “bad” creates judgment around eating. Instead, teach children how all foods fit into a balanced diet based on the frequency of eating.

10. “You don’t like dinner? Want me to make you something else?”

Translation: “I never have to venture out with food because mom/dad will always make my favorites!”

A better thing to say: “We all get the same meal for dinner, sometimes you get your favorite and other nights someone else does.”

Rationale: Eating meals together teach children eating is a family affair and it encourages them to accept a wider variety of food over time.

Any of these statements ring true for you?

Got a picky eater? Get the latest research and tips in Maryann’s book From Picky to Powerful