Healthy eating habits and a positive attitude about food can start early in a child’s life. In honor of September being Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ParentingU spoke with Carmen Alexis Miller, LDN—a dietitian with Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital. Miller shares how food and eating is a very personal matter—what we eat is part of how we care for ourselves. Food becomes an emotional matter. Since eating is something we all must do, parents have an opportunity to teach kids positive eating ha...
Healthy eating habits and a positive attitude about food can start early in a child’s life. In honor of September being Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ParentingU spoke with Carmen Alexis Miller, LDN—a dietitian with Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
Miller shares how food and eating is a very personal matter—what we eat is part of how we care for ourselves. Food becomes an emotional matter. Since eating is something we all must do, parents have an opportunity to teach kids positive eating habits and healthy food attitudes that hopefully can last a lifetime.
Some Questions Answered on the Episode
- What are some words and phrases parents can use to foster a positive attitude about food and eating?
- How can parents involve children with food prep or meal selection?
- Why should parents consider bringing children grocery shopping?
- Why is food considered an “intimate” issue and how does that change how parents can talk about food?
- What does it mean for a child to be “self-regulating” about food and what can parents try at mealtime to encourage self-regulation?
- My child often compares their body size to other children. What can I do?
- What does a dietitian do and when should I schedule an appointment with a dietitian?
Mentioned on the Episode:
- Miller wrote a practice “script” parents can use when a child is comparing themselves to others. Consider using a version of the following if you face this situation:
You're saying that you like the way that ____________ looks because she's __________ (thin/tall/etc.), and you wish you would look more like her. I hear you. ____________ is a beautiful person. It's perfectly normal for you to admire that the way that she looks and want to look a little bit more like her. But remember that you are not ____________.
You are your own person and your needs may be different than hers. You are beautiful in your own way. Whether or not you're the same size as her, focus your attention and your energy on nourishing your body, in a way that feels best to you. My job as your mom is to make sure that you are healthy and safe.
I'm here if you need anything. If you'd like to go buy new clothes, if you would like to try new foods or join a new sport, or whether you just need a listening ear, I'm here for you.
- Miller recommends Alex Turnbull, the Family Nutritionist as a good online resource.
We hope you enjoy the new season of ParentingU! You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.
Learn more about Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health at our website: https://ololchildrens.org/ Find Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health on Facebook and Instagram.
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