Promoting a Positive Relationship with Food

These are instructions to support a positive relationship with food for your child.

Important information:

Food is important. It is fuel for our bodies, gives us the energy to grow, and keeps us healthy. It can be part of special occasions and enjoying time with family and friends. Everyone has different nutritional needs, and all foods can be part of a healthy eating plan. Help your child and family make positive connections with food with these tips:

Create a positive eating environment

• Offer a variety of foods for your child. Parents decide:

  • What food to buy, prepare and serve to the family.

  • When children eat by planning meals and snacks on a regular schedule.

  • Where foods should be eaten.

  • Your child decides what and how much they will eat of the food offered.

• Controlling how much your child eats can cause them to ignore their feelings of hunger and fullness.

Do not food shame

• Food shaming is labeling a food as "bad" or "unhealthy," and treating a person (yourself or someone else) badly for eating it.

• Avoid labeling foods as "good," "bad," "junk," or "healthy."

• All foods can be eaten in moderation.

• Limiting food may lead your child to sneak these foods or feel bad about eating them.

• Food shaming can make someone feel guilty for eating or thinking of eating a "bad" food. For example, someone might feel the need to exercise after eating a food they think is unhealthy.

• Food shaming can lead to poor body image and unhealthy eating.

• When talking about food, focus on how it provides fuel, nutrients, and supports growth and development.

Practice trying new foods

• Offer your child one new food at a time. Always offer a safe or preferred food at each meal. More than one new food at once can be too much for your child.

• Offering only foods your child likes to eat may keep them from trying new foods.

• Serve small portions of new foods multiple times to help your child get familiar with the new food.

• Cook with your child. Talk about the colors, textures and benefits of different foods. This can increase their interest in trying new foods.

• Do not force, bribe, or demand that your child eats any food.

• It is okay to set a limit by telling your child there is no more of a certain food. You can let them know that it will be offered again in the future.

Be a role model

• Focus on health, not weight. Some examples of health include digestion, strength and endurance, hydration, quality of sleep or energy, and an interest in other activities like sports or hobbies.

• Eat meals at the table as a family when possible. Make mealtimes pleasant! Don't focus on what your child is (or is not) eating after it is on the plate.

• Accept your child's hunger cues, eating when hungry and stopping when full.

• Avoid talking about dieting and weight. Consider asking their doctor to also avoid commenting on weight or dieting in front of your child.

• Avoid teasing a child about their weight.

• Let your child see you eating a variety of foods and staying active.

• Speak positively about your own body.

Reviewed June 2025 by Laura Fitzgerald, RD