We all want to help our children have a healthy relationship with food, but that’s easier said than done. Many of us are still in the process of repairing our own relationships with food. Add in the ever-changing nutritional data, emotional factors, and comments and advice from family and friends, and this topic can become a minefield.
I have asked sachel Rothman to share her expertise and help us tackle this complex topic. sachel is a registered dietitian and child nutrition specialist with a background in food science.
Our conversation didn’t just focus on feeding your child food (although we did talk about that), it also included dealing with the challenges and stresses of picky eating, meal times, and sugary snacks and desserts.
How Rachel Rothman became a pediatric dietitian
Rachel Rothman first saw her relationship with food change when she was told to go on a diet at the age of nine. This advice gave her the impression that there was something wrong with her body, leading to low self-esteem, poor body image, and an unhealthy relationship with food.
Becoming a pediatric dietitian was her way of helping children and families combat negative experiences and develop a healthy relationship with food from the start.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in food science and a master’s degree in nutrition education, Rachel describes the differences between the two disciplines. Food science is the science of the food we eat before we eat it, and nutrition is the science of what food does to our bodies after we eat it.
Rachel founded Nutrition in Bloom five years ago to combine her extensive training and hands-on experience to support families in changing their relationship with food, trusting their bodies, and enjoying the food they eat.
A healthy relationship with food begins with family conversations
Many of us grew up with negative messages around food in the food culture of the 80s and 90s. Although we know more now, it is still a challenge to overcome our deeply ingrained perceptions of food.
Our relationship with food can affect us throughout our lives. Not only does food provide nutrition, it also affects our mood, immune system and quality of life. That’s why it’s important to give our children the best possible start by encouraging them to have a positive relationship with food.
Rachel suggests keeping the discussion around food positive by putting all foods on a level playing field and eliminating the stigma of labeling food as good or bad.
Start a healthy discussion around food by talking about its sensory properties – taste, feel, smell and sight. Instead of having a fixed mindset about food and nutrition, open and approach the topic with a growth mindset. Remember, it’s never too late to change the conversation about food.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get mealtime “right”
With Ellen Satter’s division of responsibility, parents are in charge of what to eat, what to eat, what to eat, and what to eat. The children are then responsible for deciding how much to eat and whether to eat it. This allows children to have a say in their food choices.
A nourishing relationship with food begins at mealtimes. We put such pressure on ourselves and our families to eat a good dinner, but dinner is just one meal of the day and not necessarily the most important.
Dinner can be a challenging time – family traditions, culture and exhaustion can all create tension around the table. It may be unrealistic to try to create an ideal family meal at this time of year. Not everyone is likely to be hungry or ready to eat. One way to improve the atmosphere at the table is to eliminate stress.
Listen to Rachel’s take on desserts and snacks – it may be different than what you would expect from a pediatric dietitian.
