Rewarding or punishing children to influence their eating habits can seem harmless, but it can create an unhealthy emotional relationship with food. Children may associate eating with anxiety or pressure. Over time, this can lead to problems like overeating, loss of appetite, or eating disorders, and obesity.

Encouraging children to eat is normal, but forcing them to finish everything on their plate makes them ignore their body's fullness cues. This disrupts their natural self-regulation, leading to overeating and weight problems. Paying attention to feelings of fullness is good for children's health and helps them form healthy eating habits as adults.

Forcing children to eat can lead to eating disorders. Image generated by AI

Children under 2 years old should not consume added sugar, and babies under one year old should avoid salt, honey, and fruit juice. Processed foods like sugary cereals, packaged snacks, and chips often contain preservatives, high amounts of salt and sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. Frequent consumption of these foods can alter children's taste preferences and increase their risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, and high blood pressure.

Skipping meals leads to irregular eating habits, low energy levels, and the risk of nutrient deficiencies. Children should eat breakfast that provides all 4 food groups, including carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, from foods like bread, eggs, yogurt, pho, bun (Vietnamese noodle soup), fruits, and vegetables. Eating meals together as a family promotes healthy eating, bonding, and supports mental and physical health.

Parents who only give their children familiar foods or fried foods often contribute to slow development, weakened immune systems, and deficiencies in essential nutrients. A balanced diet should include grains, beans, vegetables, milk, fruits, protein sources like eggs, fish, or meat, and nuts. Incorporating a variety of foods ensures that children receive enough essential vitamins and minerals for optimal intellectual and physical development.

Parents should not let children watch screens during mealtimes because it causes them to eat without control, not chew their food properly, experience stomach aches, and not appreciate the delicious flavors of their food.

Le Nguyen (According to Hindustan Times)