{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Words: Annabel Rose  | Ceramics: Sarah Hughes ","standfirst":"We speak to an intuitive eating expert to get the lowdown on cutting through confusing and conflicting messaging around food","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/10623/kalechoco_patternbg.jpg","width":2592,"height":3872,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EWe all want to help young people become healthy eaters who enjoy a variety of foods, are happy with their bodies, and know there\u2019s more to life than what\u2019s for dinner. It\u2019s not easy though, especially when school kitchens have hit pause and we\u2019re planning meals and snacks all day, every day. We asked Laura Thomas, Registered Nutritionist and Director of the London Centre for Intuitive Eating, for some tips. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EAll foods fit\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003ELaura explains that nutrition\u2019s quite a difficult, abstract concept for kids to grasp. \u2018If we\u2019re categorising foods,\u2019 she says, \u2018the subtext we\u2019re selling kids is \u201CIf I eat a bad or unhealthy \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003Efood, I am bad or unhealthy.\u2019\u2019\u2019 Instead, try to remember that \u2018all foods fit as part of a healthy, varied, balanced diet\u2019. Take kale and chocolate \u2013 both are tasty, both have different nutrients, both are just food.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EShared responsibility \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003E\u2018The division of responsibility divides the roles of feeding and eating into the parent and carer role, and the child role,\u2019 says Laura. \u003Cbr /\u003EThe parent or carer decides \u2018what food to offer, and where and when to offer meals and snacks \u2013 it\u2019s important that there\u2019s some structure and it\u2019s not just a free for all\u2019. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EMeanwhile, \u2018children decide how much and what to eat, from what\u2019s offered\u2019. It\u2019s about offering a mixture of familiar and new foods, and encouraging them \u2018to help themselves and take a little bit of everything, without putting pressure on them to do so\u2019. \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EThis technique helps to reduce conflict too. \u2018Kids don\u2019t have autonomy in a lot of places in their lives,\u2019 Laura explains. \u2018Food is sometimes one of the ways they exert autonomy. By using the division of responsibility, we set some boundaries but let children have some control.\u2019 \u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EIt\u2019s also important not to rush. \u2018In the same way that we wouldn\u2019t expect kids to bust out a complex equation, we can\u2019t expect them to want to eat a complex dish,\u2019 says Laura. Children need the chance to get to know textures and flavours before they\u2019ll enjoy tucking in. Laura has plenty of non-pressurised ideas to help broaden their experiences of different foods, including food play. Even playing kitchens or shops with empty packets counts!\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EBig picture\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EBut what about a balanced diet? \u2018Parents and carers often feel pressure to provide perfect meals at every feeding event,\u2019 says Laura, but she emphasises that \u2018children\u2019s appetites and emotional states fluctuate. Zoom out, and look at the bigger picture over days, weeks and months.\u2019 This picture isn\u2019t just about food, either \u2013 we can ask other questions too.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003E\u2018Are they growing predictably? Do they have lots of energy? Are they getting about the same number of colds and infections as their friends? Are they playing? Are they doing OK at school?\u2019 All of these bigger things can help us determine how healthy a child is, says Laura \u2013 \u2018rather than narrowing in on \u201Cwell, they haven\u2019t eaten their broccoli\u201D\u2019.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/10624/broccoli_plainbg.jpg","width":2400,"height":3582,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp class=\u0022p2\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003ESnack time\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003EWhen it comes to snacks, Laura has two pieces of advice: \u2018Make sure the snack is big enough \u2013 an apple is not enough to keep a kid zooming around.\u2019 And \u2018Look at something that\u2019s quite balanced in terms of proteins, carbs, and fats,\u2019 to give energy. \u2018We might put out some sliced apples, some bits of cheese and some crackers,\u2019 says Laura. \u2018It might also be a plate of cookies with some fruit on the side, or a trail mix kind of thing.\u2019\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp class=\u0022p3\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022s1\u0022\u003ETo find out more about Laura, you can find her on Instagram \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.instagram.com/laurathomasphd/\u0022\u003E@laurathomasphd\u003C/a\u003E. If you\u2019re worried about disordered eating, check out \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/\u0022\u003EBeat \u2013 the UK\u2019s leading eating disorder charity\u003C/a\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"24 August 2020","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[],"relatedLinks":[],"id":48560,"nodeName":"How to make happy eaters","title":"How to make happy eaters","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/10623/kalechoco_patternbg.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1daab813642cf90","caption":"Kalechoco Patternbg (1)","type":"jpg","size":5218772,"width":2592,"height":3872,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"How to make happy eaters","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODU2MCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2020/august/how-to-make-happy-eaters/"}