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| Nancy Tringali Piho |
Nancy Tringali Piho is the author of the book My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus: Raising Children Who Love to Eat Everything. She heads the D.C.-based communications firm Nancy Tringali Associates, Inc., which works with clients in the food and beverage industries.
Q: What advice would you give to those parents who would
look at the title of your book and say that they couldn’t imagine their
children willingly eating octopus?
A: Well, the “octopus” title is a little tongue-in-cheek, I
suppose, but I hope it does at least get people thinking! The main point of it
is to have parents of young children (under the age of 5) challenge what may
have inadvertently become their belief about what their children will eat.
So many of us fall into a pattern of thinking that the
chicken nugget/ apple juice/ buttered pasta/ hot dog repertoire is standard
fare for young children because they receive this message from so many sources.
These parents fall into this pattern and then don’t realize how difficult it
can be later to change it.
Q: What do you consider the best healthy, balanced diet for
children, and for adults? What impact does the parents’ diet have on that of
their children?
A: I believe that the “best” diet for anyone – kids and
adults alike – is a varied one. If you are eating a nice variety of foods from
all food groups, in reasonable portion sizes, then most likely, you are eating
a healthy diet. This points to the major problem with standard “kids meals” and
“kids diets,” because they are the same thing over and over again, just in
different packaging.
The influence of the parents’ diet on how their children eat
is tremendous and cannot be overstated. We, as parents, set the tone for how
our young children eat, what our children eat, and their entire relationship
with food.
This is true in obvious ways -- like role modeling cooking,
trying new restaurants, and generally being interested in food – to more subtle
ways, such as the way that we talk about food in front of our kids. When Dad
announces “I will not eat spinach,” for example, he is giving kids license to
do the same, without even trying it first.
Q: Do you think classes for picky eaters are a good idea?
A: I think classes for picky eaters are a great idea, but
the classes should be for the parents, rather than the children!
Q: How have changes in the food industry in recent decades
affected children’s diets?
A: The proliferation of children’s foods – products
developed exclusively for and marketed to kids of all ages – in recent decades
is a major factor in the demise of children’s eating habits.
It could be argued that it is a circular situation – that
food companies are merely responding to what consumers want and thus consumer
preferences shaped this new marketplace – but the fact remains that there are
more kiddie products on the market than ever before. Their availability and
relatively inexpensive cost makes them attractive to many parents. I write
about this issue extensively in the book.
Q: Are you working on another book?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: It sounds so simple to say it, but research has shown,
repeatedly, that the Number One Reason young children are picky eaters, or do
not eat a generally healthy diet, is because they are not offered enough of an
opportunity to eat in a better way. (Studies have shown that it can take up to 17
attempts for a toddler to adopt a new food. How many parents are willing to
hear “NO!” 16 times, and then have the will to try yet again?!)
The good news, I think, is that parental awareness alone can
make a big difference. I encourage parents to be aware of ruts and pitfalls
they succumb to in feeding their kids, broaden their own food experience if
need be, and make lifelong healthy eating a priority for the entire family,
including the youngest members.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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