If you keep different food for children than you’d eat yourself, two things are likely true: you’re eating that food anyway, and your children are learning those foods are normal. Research by Savage shows parental eating patterns are the strongest predictor of children’s patterns—they watch what you do. The “children’s snacks” often become cover for keeping tempting foods in the house.
This companion covers the parent’s dilemma, what you’re modeling, what children actually need, and practical alternatives. (4 min read)