WXTK Better Health Report: "Happy Meals"

Researchers from the University of Illinois say that parents who have “happier” meal times have kids who eat healthier.

They had 74 parents of preschoolers answer a questionnaire about their mealtimes over a period of 2 years. And they also had a researcher pay a home visit to observe the family during mealtime.

And they found that the children on average ate one more serving or fruit or vegetables during positive meal times.

But quess what? I think this is nonsense.

First of all, what constitutes a happy or positive atmosphere? That is subjective, meaning something that can’t be measured, either by the parent or the researcher.

Maybe the parent had a stressful day and said the meal wasn’t positive because they didn’t feel positive. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t.

And may be the type of fruit of vegetable served on that day mattered too. Maybe Johnnie or Suzie eats better the day carrots are served rather than Brussels sprouts!

This is the kind of study that seems designed to make parents feel badly about themselves and their parenting skills, which is not helpful.

I had 3 boys close in age and they all ate differently. One of them loved fruits and vegetables, the others, not so much. Was I only positive with one of them during the same meal?

This is Joan Trimble wishing you wellness.