Food temptations

For all of us, food is inextricably linked with our emotions. If you understand the role food plays in your household you can better understand why some children struggle to resist overeating.

- Food as love: From the moment our babies are placed in our arms we sustain and nurture them and show our love for them with food. The toddler who falls and grazes his knee is given a sweet to ‘make it better’. Sometimes we pop a child’s favourite treat into his lunchbox to remind him that we’re thinking of him. It is small wonder then that in the minds of our children food is love. And the withdrawal of food is the withdrawal of love.

- Food as reward: If your child does well at school, very often he will receive some kind of sugary treat. The reward for a good report or good SAT results is perhaps a meal out.

- Food as celebration: Birthdays and holidays such as Christmas and Easter are marked by a celebratory cake or meal. The more important the occasion the more lavish the food.

- Food as pleasure: Let’s face it, food tastes great and it can be enormously pleasurable. Unfortunately, for many kids, it is the high-fat, salty and sugary foods that are most irresistible.

- Food is sociable: We join our friends for dinner and relax over a meal out. Naturally, our children follow suit and, as they become more independent (and before alcohol takes on a role in their lives), meeting for a burger or fried chicken becomes part of their social structure, and an expectation after outings to the cinema etc.

- Food as power: Children are quick to learn that food provides them with power. From the faddy eater who gets massive amounts of attention to the sibling who seeks praise and approval by ‘clearing his plate’, there are huge opportunities for manipulating parents.