Ask the Expert- Best Place to Feed a Child

Ask The Expert is a weekly column on Littlestomaks.com. The idea is to have a reader-submitted question answered by a nutrition expert or a pediatrician. Feel free to submit your question in the comments section below.

This week, Registered Dietitian Nour El-Zibdeh emphasizes the power of family meals and offers some handy tips on how to seat your child when eating or drinking.

Nour El-Zibdeh, RD

Current graduate student: Health Sciences—James Madison University
BS: Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise—Virginia Tech
Registered Dietitian: nutrition consultant, freelance writer, and blogger
Experience in clinical dietetics, wellness, family nutrition, and nutrition communication
Website: Practical Nutrition
Twitter: @NourRD
LinkedIn profile: Nour El-Zibdeh
Contact: via blog

Question: Could you offer some advice regarding where a child should be seated when eating/drinking…Is it acceptable to let a toddler walk around with a sippy cup of water? Also, how do the experts feel about eating in the carseat?

Answer:

Seating a child:
Gathering around the table for a family meal is the best place for eating. Studies, over and over, show that children of families who eat meals together almost every day have healthier diets (more fiber, vitamins, and minerals and less fat) compared to children of families who don’t.

Aside from nutrition, family meals teach young children table manners, improve social and motor skills, enrich language, and boost self-esteem. They promote a sense of togetherness in the family and are associated with happier marriages.

For older kids, meals frequently with families are associated with less drug use and smoking. It’s a good idea to start when they are young!

Tips for making family meals reality:

Plan ahead and build in enough time for preparation. But even if you’re taking out, bring the family together to the table.
Remove distractions: turn off the TV or computer, put video games, toys, and cell phones away, and let the answering machine pick up calls.
Get them involved by setting the table and cleaning up—as safe as possible for their age.
Be a role model. Eat your vegetables and they will too.
Start a good conversation. Avoid arguments or discussions that promote tension.
Take your time. Eat slowly to match their speed, which helps you conquer mindless eating as well, and enjoy quality time.

If your child sits in a highchair, make sure it’s positioned close to the table or the rest of the family, not in the corner.

Letting a toddler walk around with a sippy cup:
It depends. If your toddler eats well and drinks at least 18 oz of milk, then that’s fine. However, if she doesn’t, especially if she’s small for her age, she might be getting full from all the water she’s drinking.

Drinking juice or milk is more problematic because a constant supply of sugar around the toddler’s teeth might lead to decay. Plus, juice and milk supply extra calories and sugar your child might not need.

If a toddler drinks calorie-containing beverages continuously, they can lose their ability to tell how “hungry” feels different from “full.” Instead, structure meals and snacks; just like naps, bedtime, and other activities. That gives them a sense of security that food will eventually come.

Eating in the car seat:
Other than the missed opportunity of a family meal and its benefits, eating in the car usually promotes mindless eating of less nutritious foods, such as processed snacks. If a child accidentally chokes while you’re driving, the consequence can be disastrous.

As a mom; however, I understand that “never” eating in the car is impossible. On the occasional road trips, or on days when you’re running late for school, eating in the car might be acceptable. But don’t make it a habit. Wake up a little earlier for breakfast and build in time to sit down for lunch and dinner.

Disclaimer – Information provided in Ask The Expert column on Littlestomaks.com is intended to give you general guidance on a question related to toddler nutrition. It is not meant to be treated as medical advice. You are welcome to contact this expert for a detailed consultation on your specific situation to determine what actions, if any, you should take regarding nutrition and health of your toddlers. We do not recommend you to take any action based solely on the information presented in this column. Experts have agreed to provide their professional opinion on toddler nutrition related questions on a voluntary basis and no compensation is offered to them by Littlestomaks.com.