“How to Stop Using Food to Reward and Punish your Kids” – Prof Stephanie Meyers
(3/6/20, The Conversation)
At one time or another, just about every parent uses food to reward their kids for good behavior and achievements — or to console them when they’re sad or disappointed.
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.
You may figure there’s no harm in doing this kind of thing. But as a dietitian and nutritionist focused on family nutrition, I consider regularly using food as an incentive for kids to be risky.
Rewarding and comforting kids with food can lead to overeating when they are not hungry. It also increases the chances they will try to deal with their emotions through what they eat. – Stephanie Meyers, MS, RDN