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Dinner Time Dilemma: Eat It or Go Hungry
At any moment, I have a mountain of tasks on my to-do list, mostly revolving around my kids. Like any devoted parent, I wear many hats: chauffeur, housekeeper, therapist, pediatrician, and yes, even a laundry maid (because laundry is never-ending). But guess what role I refuse to take on? Short-order cook. With my busy schedule, I simply don’t have time for that nonsense.
When it comes to meals, I subscribe to a strict “eat-it-or-go-hungry” approach. Of course, I’d be sensitive to any special dietary needs, but my kids are just being picky eaters—something I don’t entertain. They can grimace at their dinner if they want, but they also know the deal: reject the food I’ve prepared, and they’ll be feeling peckish. No drama at the table; it’s a straightforward rule: try it, or skip it.
I consider myself lucky to provide a variety of nutritious meals. So if I’m going to put in the effort to plan, shop for, and cook, you better believe my kids are going to taste what I’ve made. At our dinner table, we have a rule called the “no-thank-you bite”: each child has to take a small taste of everything served. If they still don’t like it after that, they can choose not to eat. But let me tell you, 95% of the time, that tiny bite is enough to convince them that I’m not serving poison; it’s actually delicious, even if they initially labeled it as “gross” or “weird.”
Every parent knows that for the first several years of your child’s life—sometimes even a decade if you’ve got kids close together—your own meals come last. You spend your time chopping their food, pouring milk, and fetching utensils, all while your own dinner grows cold and unappetizing. So, why would I add to that by making special meals for each kid? Let my carefully prepared dish get cold while I whip up mac and cheese for one child and a peanut butter sandwich for another? Not happening.
You’d be amazed at how the eat-it-or-go-hungry method reduces picky eating. Do my kids have certain foods they avoid? Absolutely. They’re human, after all. But by limiting their choices to what I’ve made, they’ve learned to try—and even enjoy—foods they might have once dismissed without a taste. My children have eaten everything from tofu to calamari to exotic curries. And if they don’t like it? Well, there’s always the next meal—hopefully something they find tastier.
It may seem tough, but trust me, no one is going hungry with this rule. Kids will eat when they’re hungry, and they’ll eat what’s available. You won’t get a visit from child protective services because your little one didn’t want their pork chop instead of chicken strips. Kids are smarter than that; they won’t starve themselves out of stubbornness. It’s simply a matter of who holds the power.
Make sure your child is genuinely hungry at mealtime. Involve them in the meal prep; let them pick out veggies, wash fruits, or help cook. Discover ways to sneak nutritious ingredients into kid-friendly dishes, like adding pureed veggies to mac and cheese. If they still won’t eat, consider a multivitamin or a nutritional shake (but not too close to dinner!). I’ve never met anyone who grew up malnourished due to a firm eat-it-or-go-hungry policy. Instead, they grow into well-rounded adults who aren’t afraid to try new things—at the table and in life.
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Summary:
Implementing an “eat-it-or-go-hungry” philosophy at mealtime can help reduce picky eating in children. By limiting their choices to what’s served, kids are encouraged to try new foods, which fosters a greater appreciation for diverse flavors. Involving children in meal preparations can also make a difference. Ultimately, kids will eat when they are hungry, and this approach builds their confidence to try new things.