Many times, when kids feel harassed about food, they simply decide it’s not worth arguing about and go underground; pitching out that nice hummus sandwich and eating cupcakes and twinkies from their friends. It’s okay. It happens. We cannot control what they do with what we pack.
Kids need to learn how to listen to their own bodily signals, and we do them no favor when we try to protect them from experiences that are natural feedback loops. They need to FEEL the sugar crash before they can decide they prefer to avoid it. Just keep preparing and packing the nutritious stuff and don’t worry about it. They will carry out their own experiments.
You might also consider collaborative problem solving. Express your values and concerns about nutrition, and your wish to provide nourishing options. Then find out why your child is not eating her lunch, and put your heads together to come up with some alternatives that work for both of you. You’d be amazed at the variety of food options available these days! They even stock vegan gummy bears sweetened with fruit juice at my local Vitamin Cottage. There are many win-wins to be found.
Ultimately, love and respect are the most nourishing things you can serve to your kids. Kids eat that right up every time, and you don’t even have to go farther than your own heart to procure an abundant supply.
PREVIOUS PAGE
