{"id":20316,"date":"2020-04-12T19:04:10","date_gmt":"2020-04-12T19:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/?p=20316"},"modified":"2020-04-16T10:46:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T10:46:44","slug":"how-to-stop-using-food-to-reward-and-punish-your-kids-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeandnews.com\/articles\/how-to-stop-using-food-to-reward-and-punish-your-kids-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stop using food to reward and punish your kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephanie Meyers<\/a>, Boston University<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

At one time or another, just about every parent uses food to reward their kids for good behavior and achievements \u2013 or to console them when they\u2019re sad or disappointed.<\/p>\n

When children make honor roll, win a big game or persevere through a struggle, a parent might express their pride and joy with candy or ice cream. Likewise, when kids feel down and out, pick-me-ups can take the form of a treat. The reasons for this are simple: Using food as an incentive might get results, and salty, sweet or sugary foods are often within easy reach.<\/p>\n

You may figure there\u2019s no harm in doing this kind of thing. But as a dietitian and nutritionist<\/a> focused on family nutrition, I consider regularly using food as an incentive for kids<\/a> to be risky.<\/p>\n

Rewarding and comforting kids with food can lead to overeating<\/a> when they are not hungry. It also increases the chances they will try to deal with their emotions<\/a> through what they eat.<\/p>\n

I spend a lot of my time at work helping clients break this cycle. I show them how to stop using tactics like bribery, judgment and shame<\/a> that involve foods and drinks that can range from a bowl of chocolate pudding to a big glass of soda. I also teach parents other ways to celebrate<\/a> and soothe that don\u2019t depend on food.<\/p>\n

Plenty of research shows kids consume more total calories, carbohydrates and fat daily<\/a> when parents use food to reward behavior. For example, when the mothers of preschool-age children use food to ease their kids\u2019 emotions<\/a>, those children eat more sweets when they get upset. And a French study found that moms who used food as rewards for their children stimulated their kids\u2019 tendency to overeat \u2013 even when their children aren\u2019t hungry<\/a>. Of course, it\u2019s not just moms and dads using food in this way but caregivers of all kinds, from babysitters to grandparents. And while it\u2019s a big problem at school<\/a> too, changing patterns at home is key.<\/p>\n

To help parents get the hang of kicking this habit, I\u2019ve zeroed in on four steps to purge guilt and let go of food as a reward.<\/p>\n

1. Recognize common scenarios<\/h2>\n

Think about how you celebrate after performances or if you often promise a treat when your kids finish a task. Do you prod your kids to clean their room by dangling the possibility of dessert? Do you take them out for pizza to help them cope when they don\u2019t make the team? Recognizing common scenarios is an essential first step toward breaking this pattern.<\/p>\n