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Mealtime Atmosphere and Eating Behavior

Mealtime should be a time for eating -- not for disciplining, arguing, sharing distressing news, doing other activities or watching television. The best mealtime atmosphere is bright, clean, relaxed and free of distractions.

Present food in an appealing manner:

• Use a variety of bright food colors and textures, as is appropriate for your child's age
• Offer finger foods or bite-sized foods for toddlers
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Avoid strong flavors, as a child's taste buds are more sensitive than those of an adult

Use a variety of interesting ways to serve meals:

• Meals by candlelight
• Barbeque or picnic
• A "just finger foods" meal
• Serving breakfast foods for dinner

Do not force your child to eat.

Forcing a child to eat reinforces poor eating habits such as eating when he isn't hungry or cleaning the plate when he is already full. Rewarding your child for eating, punishing your child for not eating or forcing your child to eat can reinforce poor behavior. Besides causing an unpleasant mealtime environment, these behaviors can create a picky eater or result in your child becoming overweight.

Children should not be bribed to eat.

Food provides nutrients that our bodies need to grow and be healthy. Tricking your child into eating can place other meanings on food. Your child may then crave certain foods, avoid some foods or generally become picky or obsessive about food.

Address misbehavior at mealtimes.

If at all possible, ignore the misbehavior. If poor behavior continues, remove the food calmly without comment until the next mealtime or snack time. The goal is that your child will learn that meals are for eating and not for playing.

Avoid serving meals when your child is overly tired.

Your child may need a short nap before a meal. A tired child will not be able to focus on eating and practicing good mealtime behavior.

Develop a mealtime routine and allow your child to help.

Children need a meal routine to depend on so that they don't worry about when the next meal is coming. If your child knows she has snacks between meals, she will be less likely to overeat out of fear that she will be allowed to go hungry. A child can help with setting the table, folding napkins, clearing the table, washing the dishes or other tasks. Your child also can help with grocery shopping and preparing meals. These opportunities can be used to teach your child about healthy eating.

For more information or to request an appointment with a registered dietitian, please contact the UCSF Nutrition Counseling Center at (415) 353-2291.

• Encouraging Your Child to Eat Fruits and Vegetables
• Starting Solid Foods
• Additional Nutrition Information

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.