Children, and indeed often adults, are often rewarded with food if they have done something that deserves praise and acknowledgement. Examples include getting a good result in school, playing well during a sporting event, being well-behaved at the dentist, or perhaps doing some jobs around the house.
Sweet, processed foods, such as chocolate, biscuits, cakes, crisps, etc., are generally the type of foods that are used as rewards. These types of foods are high in sugar, fat and salt and are not needed as part of a balanced diet.
Rewarding children with food can create unhealthy eating behaviours, such as eating when they are not hungry. These eating behaviours can lead the expectation of an instant food reward if something has been accomplished, or weight gain.
Rewarding children with food can be one factor that can play a part in children becoming overweight and obese. As we know, overweight and obesity amongst children is on the rise. We know that children who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of being overweight or obese when they become teenagers and adults. Excessive energy intake can result in weight gain.
Food is required for children to provide energy, growth and repair and it is not recommended to use food as a reward. Food is fuel. Think of other things that could replace food rewards for your child such as:
Spending special quality time with your child
Bringing them to their favourite park
Inviting a friend over on a play date
Taking them to the zoo to see their favourite animals
Buying them a book that they have talked about
If you want to acknowledge an achievement your child has made you could perhaps create a star chart. By simply building up stars, your child could be given a reward that is not food-based. This is a good way for them to stay engaged. A star chart will also help teach children about delayed gratification – having to wait to get a reward. This is an important life lesson for children for all areas of life.
As an example, if they clean their room every day for a week (getting a star for each day) they will get a new book, and if they continue doing this for a full month someone will bring them out to the park on a day trip.
It can be important to say “no” to a child if they continue to ask for food-based rewards. This may be difficult short term; however, these healthy changes will benefit your child in the future! With time these habits can be broken, and healthy habits implemented.
It is important that we practice what we preach. If our children, see us rewarding ourselves with food it will contradict the lesson what we are trying to teach them. The next time you think of rewarding yourself with a bar of chocolate in the evening after a busy day of work, why not change this to reading your favourite book, phoning your friend or getting out for a walk.
For more information, Safefood has lots of information on tackling treats. They have written information and very informative videos that you may find beneficial to watch!
References
- Blaine, R., Kachurak, A., Davison, K., Klabunde, R. and Fisher, J., 2017. Food parenting and child snacking: a systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1).
- Luo, Y. and Pattanakul, D., 2020. Infant expectations of instant or delayed gratification. Scientific Reports, 10(1).
- Russell, C. and Russell, A., 2020. “Food” and “non-food” self-regulation in childhood: a review and reciprocal analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1).