Parents often find themselves in a culinary battle when it comes to picky eaters, a recent survey reveals. According to a national poll conducted by the University of Michigan, three out of five parents are willing to prepare a separate meal for a child who refuses to eat what the family is having.

Dr. Susan Woolford, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, warns that this practice often results in children opting for less healthy options. Instead of giving in to a child’s demands for a different meal, Dr. Woolford suggests offering a balanced meal with at least one item the child typically enjoys.

Establishing healthy eating habits in preschool and elementary-aged children is crucial, as highlighted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. However, parents’ concerns about their child’s nutrition may lead to counterproductive strategies.

Some parents take the opposite approach and require their children to finish everything on their plate, while others insist that their kids at least try a bit of everything. Additionally, nearly a third of parents withhold dessert if a meal is left unfinished. Dr. Woolford cautions that these tactics can promote overeating, especially if portion sizes are too large for the child’s age.

Encouraging children to eat until they are comfortably full, rather than forcing them to clean their plate, is essential for fostering healthy eating habits. By providing balanced meals and avoiding food-related power struggles, parents can help their children develop a positive relationship with food and make nutritious choices in the long run.