I want to try to reform my 11-year-old daughter's unhealthy
eating habits. But I am worried that by not letting her eat
high-calorie, high-fat junk food, I'll be paving the way for her to
develop an eating disorder. I want her to be healthy, but I don't
want to make her unhappy about herself either. How do I handle
this?
-
Julie
Balance is the most important thing when developing healthy
eating habits. Teach your daughter to eat healthy foods the
majority of the time, and to save fattening foods for occasional
treats. These treats should not be completely banned or else they
will be even more appealing to your daughter!
Encourage healthy habits by having family meal times, by being a
good role model, and by stocking the house with a variety of
healthy food options. Give your daughter ways to boost her
self-confidence, and encourage her to talk to you about any
concerns that she may have about her body image.
For more information, check out these articles:
Healthy Eating
Eating Disorders
Developing Your Child's Self-Esteem
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: January 2007
Originally reviewed by:
Neil Izenberg, MD
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