Recently, I stumbled upon an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Here’s Why You Should Pay Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables.” As a mom dealing with a particularly picky eater, my initial thought was, “Finally, a solution!” The piece referenced a study from the Journal of Health Economics that tested incentive programs in elementary schools to encourage kids to munch on more fruits and vegetables. A whopping 8,000 children from 40 different schools participated, earning a 25-cent token for consuming at least one piece of produce during lunch, which they could cash in at the school store or carnival.
It’s interesting to note that the kids could choose either fruit or veggies to earn their tokens. I can bet my bottom dollar that most of them opted for sweet fruits like apples and peaches. I know my fussy eater would definitely go for the sugary options. While fruit is healthy, if kids can dodge vegetables so easily, what’s the point?
The researchers claimed their strategy worked, with a notable increase in fruit and vegetable consumption during the program and a sustained uptick for up to two months afterward. They concluded that offering monetary incentives could lead to healthier eating habits. Their theories included peer influence and the idea that trying fruits and veggies can acclimate kids to these foods, making them crave them more.
Two months of improvement sounds promising, right? But I would love to check back in six or twelve months later to see if those kids are still enjoying their greens. I suspect the answer would be a resounding NO.
I may come off as a cynic, but I’m really just a realistic parent navigating the ups and downs of encouraging healthy eating. I don’t believe it’s as simple as handing over a quarter and expecting a lifelong love affair with vegetables to blossom.
Here’s the reality: I’ve bribed my kids before. Sure, I’ve used money and even candy (gasp!), but that’s when I need them to cooperate quickly, like getting my youngest to put on his shoes so we don’t miss picking up his sibling from school.
However, when it comes to fostering long-term healthy habits, bribery simply won’t cut it. I understand the study’s intent was not to suggest that parents should pay their children to eat vegetables indefinitely. The goal is to help children develop a habit of eating fruits and vegetables, which ideally leads to a natural love for them. Yet, I doubt that this affection will last as long as the researchers claim, and I certainly don’t want my kids to associate healthy eating with bribery, especially monetary rewards.
Sure, I want my kids to be healthy, and I can’t let them live off goldfish crackers (though they would if they had their way). But introducing money into the mix sends the wrong message. The model of paying them per meal is not sustainable, and what happens when that incentive starts to fade?
I’d be implying that there should always be a reward for making healthy choices—that the only way I can encourage good habits is through bribery. I’m not on board with that.
Perhaps incentive programs work better in schools where such systems are already common. Kids can often separate the school environment from home, and wanting a reward like their classmates might be different from receiving a quarter from mom for eating “yucky” broccoli.
I still face challenges in getting my kids to eat well. My picky son survived on bread products, the occasional nugget, and a few nibbles of broccoli for years. We followed the classic household rule: “No dessert unless you eat your vegetables.” While that sounds a bit like bribery, it makes sense: you can’t fill up on junk without having some nutrients first. (Desserts here are usually simple—just a piece of chocolate or some fruit gummies.)
I’m happy to share that now, at almost 10, my vegetable-averse son occasionally asks for veggies! Sure, there are only three kinds he’ll eat, but he genuinely wants them. It took a decade instead of a quick three weeks, but I’d much rather my son develop a love for vegetables on his own terms than through cash incentives.
In conclusion, while the idea of paying kids to eat vegetables might seem appealing, I believe that fostering a genuine appreciation for healthy food is far more beneficial in the long run.
For more insights on parenting and healthy habits, visit our other post on incentive programs and check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination from the CDC. If you’re looking for ways to enhance fertility, Make a Mom offers valuable information too!