Break the Food Reward Habit.

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BreaktheFoodRewardHabit
Haveyoueverbeentemptedtosay:
“Ifyoudon’teatonemorebite,you
can’tleavethetable!”“Cleanyour
platesoyoucanplay,”“Nodessert
untilyoueatyourvegetables,”or
“Stopcrying,andI’llgiveyoua
cookie”?
Ifyousaid“yes,”it’stimetostop!
Herearesomereasonswhycomments
likethesecanleadtoeatingproblems
forkids.
 Rewardingacleanplateteaches
childrentoignorefeelingsof
fullness,andthatmayleadto
overeating.


Offeringafood(dessert)asa
rewardforeatinganother
(veggies)makessomefoods
seembetterandthereforemore
wantedbythechild.
Gettingafoodtreattofeelbetter
teacheskidstorelievenegative
feelingsbyeating.This canlead
toovereatinglateron.
Showyourchildyoucareby
spendingtimewithherandletting
herhelpyoupreparethishealthy
recipe.
HomemadeApplesauce
Yield:4cupsServes:8adults
Ingredients
5mediumapples(oneandahalfpounds)
1/2teaspooncinnamon
1/2cupwater
brownsugar(optional)
Steps
1. Washtheapples.
2. *Peel,coreandquartertheapples.
3. Cuttheapplesintosmallsections
(childrenmaydothisusingabutterknife).
4. Inamediumpot,combinetheapples,
cinnamonandwater.
5. Coverpot,andcookapplesovermediumheat
untiltheycometoaboil.Thensimmerover
lowheatuntiltheapplestesttenderwhen
youstickthemwithafork,about20‐30
minutes.Stirtheapplesafewtimes;adding
morewateriftheycookdry.
6. Beatthetendercooked applessmoothwith
aspoon.
7. Serveapplesaucewarmorcoldwitha
sprinkleofbrownsugarifdesired.
8. Enjoy!
Haveyourchildhelpyoudotheboldsteps.
*Ifyouhaveafoodmill, cooktheappleswithout
peelingthemuntiltenderandputthemthroughthe
foodmill.
Useanonfoodapproach
Rewardyourchildwithattentionandkindwords.Consolewithhugsandtalk.
Showlovebyspendingtimeandhavingfuntogether.
Waystorewardyourchild:
 Readextrastoriesatbedtime.
 Bubblebath.
 Gotothelibraryforspecialstorytime.
 HaveapajamapartywithMom orDad.
 Letyourchildhaveextraplaytimeorprivileges.  Haveafamilygamenightand letyourchildpickoutthegame.
 Haveafamilyoutingtoapark,zoo,sportingevent,oraquarium.
Specialrewardsforolderchildren:
 Lettheminviteafewfriendstoasleepover.
 Campoutinthebackyard.
 Writeaspecialnotetoyourchild.
*BesuretoavoidgivingextratimeinfrontoftheTVorcomputerasareward!
SpecialRewardsforaJobWellDone
Makealistoffun,nonfoodrewardsthatdon’tcostmuchandpostitwherethe
wholefamilycanseeit.
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10. ________________________________________________________________________ In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250‐9410 or call toll free (866) 632‐9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877‐8339; or (800) 845‐6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.