Why "Finish Your Soup" Might Not Be the Best Advice for Kids
Why "Finish Your Soup" Might Not Be the Best Advice for Kids
Picture this:
You're at the dinner table with your preschooler, and you've made a lovely, nutritious soup. You ladle it into their bowl and, with a hopeful smile, you say, "Finish your soup!"
Sounds familiar, right?
Well, hold on to your soup spoons because we’re about to dive into why this well-meaning advice might actually backfire.
The Study That Shook the Soup Bowl
Researchers, led by Amy T. Galloway, decided to tackle this exact scenario. They gathered a group of preschool children (27 little soup critics aged 3-5 years) and set out to see what happens when kids are pressured to eat.
Over 11 weeks, these kids had a variety of soups served to them under two conditions: with pressure and without pressure. You can read the full study here.
Soup Pressure vs. No Pressure
Pressure Condition: Imagine gentle reminders every few minutes: "Finish your soup." Sounds innocent enough, but for a preschooler, it can feel like an unwelcome chore.
No Pressure Condition: This time, the kids could eat as much or as little as they liked, with no reminders or expectations. Just a calm, soup-filled environment.
What Happened Next?
1. Soup Intake: The results were unmistakable! The kids ate significantly more when they weren't pressured. Over time, they even began to enjoy the soup more and more when left to their own devices. Imagine that - they actually wanted to eat their soup!
2. Emotional Reactions: When pressured, the kids’ responses were decidedly negative. They made more comments like "I don't want to drink it" or "I hate it." On the flip side, no pressure meant fewer grumbles and a more pleasant dining experience for everyone involved.
3. Parental Influence: Interestingly, kids who were used to being pressured at home were less affected by the lab pressure. But these same kids tended to have lower body mass index (BMI) scores, suggesting that parents might pressure them to eat because they're worried about their weight.
The Takeaway (And It's Not Soup)
So, what does this mean for our dinnertime routines? It turns out, pressuring kids to eat might actually lead to less eating and more mealtime battles. Creating a relaxed, pressure-free environment can encourage kids to enjoy their food and maybe even ask for seconds!
Tips for a Happier Mealtime
Offer Variety: Give your child different options and let them choose. Kids are more likely to eat what they’ve picked out themselves.
Be Patient: It might take a few tries for kids to like new foods. Keep offering them without pressure.
Lead by Example: Show your kids how much you enjoy eating healthy foods. They often mimic what they see.
Positive Environment: Make mealtimes enjoyable. Talk about your day, tell a story, and avoid turning the table into a battlefield.
Final Thoughts
Next time you're tempted to say "Finish your soup," take a deep breath and let it go. Your child might surprise you by enjoying their meal more than ever. And who knows? They might just ask for another bowl!
Happy mealtime, everyone! 🥣
If mealtime battles sound all too familiar, and you find yourself struggling to get your child to enjoy their food, consider reaching out to Table Talk for expert feeding therapy.
Our tailored strategies and compassionate approach can transform your child's eating habits and make mealtimes a joy.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your family achieve happier, healthier mealtime experiences.
Feeding therapy services are available in Hamilton, the wider Waikato region and via telehealth nationwide.