It’s a common observation that children often gravitate towards sweet flavors. This preference is innate, dating back to our earliest development. Even in the womb, babies show a preference for sweeter amniotic fluid. This is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation, as sweet foods in nature are typically safe and rich in nutrients and calories.
This inherent preference explains why young children readily accept fruits like bananas, strawberries, grapes, and plums, which offer natural sweetness, over more bitter or savoury tastes.
This natural inclination towards sweetness underscores the importance of a vegetable-led approach to weaning. Introducing a wide array of flavors, especially savoury ones, from the start is crucial. Early exposure and variety are key to developing a broad palate and acceptance of diverse tastes.
However, we live in an environment saturated with readily available sweet foods, many of which are not nutrient-dense like fruits. While our biological wiring predisposes us to enjoy sweetness, modern society further reinforces this preference. Sweet items are often presented as “treats,” reserved for “special occasions” or as “dessert.”
Think about children’s birthday parties – party bags are rarely filled with broccoli or carrot sticks. This constant association of sweet foods with positive reinforcement and celebration amplifies our innate preference for them, making them even more appealing.
It’s not about eliminating these enjoyable treats, as foods like crisps, biscuits, and ice cream are designed to be palatable. The concern is that the emphasis on sweetness can overshadow the vast array of other delicious and nutritious savoury foods available. We risk creating a food hierarchy where sweet reigns supreme, unintentionally diminishing the appeal and importance of savoury options.
To foster a healthy relationship with food, it’s beneficial to avoid placing certain foods above others. Ideally, children should perceive all foods as equally valuable components of a balanced diet, even if they naturally prefer some over others.
Encouraging children to listen to their own appetite cues is also essential. If they are drawn to the salmon on their plate first, they should feel empowered to eat that. If they then want cherries, that’s perfectly fine too. This approach helps them learn to understand their hunger and cravings without imposing a rigid food hierarchy where sweet foods always take precedence.
Offering fruit as part of a meal, rather than as a separate dessert, is one strategy to achieve this balance. Instead of presenting dessert as an end-of-meal reward, all food components, including fruits, can be served together on one plate. Children can then choose what to eat and in what order, without the anticipation of a “better” sweet treat at the end.
The concept of dessert as a guaranteed treat can sometimes backfire. Children might refuse their main meal knowing a sweet dessert awaits. This can lead to mealtime stress and parents resorting to restricting dessert as a condition for finishing the main course. However, this restriction can paradoxically increase the allure of dessert and further decrease the appeal of savoury meals.
Whether it’s fruit or other sweet items, integrating them into the savoury meal presentation, without highlighting any particular food choices, can be helpful. In families where dessert isn’t a standard daily practice, extending this approach to children reinforces a balanced eating pattern.
While desserts aren’t inherently necessary for all children, they can play a valuable role, especially for picky eaters or those with lower appetites. Desserts and snacks can contribute to overall calorie and nutrient intake throughout the day, providing additional opportunities to eat.
It’s crucial to consider each child’s individual needs and adapt feeding strategies accordingly. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding children. If offering dessert encourages a child to eat more overall and provides parents with reassurance about their child’s nutrition, then it’s perfectly acceptable.
Moreover, if dessert is a cherished family tradition, there’s no reason to eliminate it. Children adapt to familiar routines, and if dessert is a regular part of their meals, even if they don’t fully finish their main course, they are less likely to fixate on it as a reward. Varying dessert options to include savoury choices occasionally can also broaden their palate and understanding of flavour profiles.
Ultimately, the goal is to guide children towards enjoying a wide spectrum of foods, savoury and sweet alike, and to encourage them to eat according to their appetite, rather than adhering to a perceived food hierarchy.
In summary, fostering a balanced approach involves:
- Including fruits alongside savoury meals.
- Avoiding language that elevates certain foods as superior or more desirable.
- Refraining from labeling foods as “treats” or using them as rewards.
- Modeling enjoyment of a diverse range of foods.
- Limiting the daily routine of “pudding” or dessert.
- Allowing children to follow their internal hunger cues at mealtimes.
Remember, there’s no single “right” way to feed children. It’s often a process of experimentation and finding what suits each family best. Sharing experiences and learning from one another is invaluable in navigating the journey of feeding little ones.
