Debunking Myths About the Food Your Kiddo Eats
4-minute read
Our nutrition team at KinderCare breaks down popular mealtime myths and gives nutritional advice.
- MYTH: Join the Clean Plate Club.
It’s great to clean your plate when you feel hungry for it, but stressing about every single bite at each meal will only make for a miserable time—for everyone! - MYTH: Certain foods are good, others are bad.
It’s all about finding balance and getting a variety that works for you and your family. - MYTH: Eating the right amount will help kids reach their ideal weight.
Every body is different; eating is about the individual.
We’ve all heard people (maybe even our own parents) say “eat everything on your plate” or “drink milk every day.” But is this good nutritional advice or just food myths that have been passed down?
To find out, we went to our nutrition team here at KinderCare. Check out what they had to say about three popular mealtime myths.
MYTH: Join the Clean Plate Club.
REALITY: It’s not a club you have to join.
It’s great to clean your plate when you feel hungry for it, but making kiddos clean their plates can make mealtimes unpleasant. Stressing about your child eating every single bite at each meal will only make for a miserable time—for everyone! Kids intuitively know their bodies—they can enjoy food and drink, see how the food makes them feel, and know when they’re full. By creating in-the-moment awareness and not forcing them to eat more or have a clean plate, you can help them develop healthy relationships with food that will grow with them into adulthood. So, slow down, take a moment to enjoy food together.
MYTH: Certain foods are good, others are bad.
REALITY: It’s about getting a variety of foods.
You may have heard that you have to drink milk, eat green veggies, and proteins for a healthy body and healthy growth. But you know what? It’s actually not that straightforward, it’s much more about finding balance and getting a variety of foods in your daily diet. There isn’t one magical food or food group that will unlock the key to perfect health. And guess what, that can include treats too!
MYTH: Eating the right amount will help kids reach their ideal weight.
REALITY: Every body is different; eating is about the individual.
You may have heard that if your child eats a certain amount, they will gain the desired amount of weight, but the truth is that not everyone is built the same, our bodies are different and that is OK. If your child is growing consistently, sleeping well, feeling overall happy, eating a variety of foods, and feeling energized for activities and play, then they are likely developing at their own pace—without needing to meet certain requirements that may not be realistic for your kiddo.
So, the next time you’re wondering if that nutrition advice you heard might actually be a food myth, check in with your pediatrician and check out our Cooking and Nutrition hub (it’s full of awesome info you can use every day). And when you need some great picky-eater-approved recipes, watch one of our KinderCare Cooks episodes, it's sure to inspire your next family mealtime.
*This is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult a qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
