How to Get Kids to Eat Their Lunches with Marnie Hanel
Oct 24, 2022
auto_awesome
Writer Marnie Hanel discusses her new book on packing lunch boxes for kids. Topics covered include bento boxes, combating picky eating, creative food presentations, and tips for making lunchtime enjoyable for kids.
Using creative presentation in lunchboxes can enhance food exploration and acceptance in children.
Allowing children agency in food decisions and extending lunchtime can help broaden their food choices and promote healthier eating habits.
Deep dives
The Impact of Lunchboxes on Food Dynamics
The podcast highlights how lunchboxes can shape children's interactions with food and address concerns like food exposure and picky eating. Marnie discusses the value of using lunchboxes as a tool to improve a child's relationship with food, emphasizing the importance of exploring food dynamics with children through playful food presentation and creating a positive food environment.
Importance of Presentation in Food Exploration
The discussion delves into the impact of flavor exposure on children's food preferences and the role of presentation in food acceptance. By introducing flavors and foods creatively, such as using toothpicks and diverse shapes, children are encouraged to engage with new foods. The podcast underscores the significance of presentation in enhancing food exploration and the value of meal aesthetics in influencing children's eating habits.
Enhancing Lunchtime Experience and Food Engagement
The podcast explores the challenges of picky eating in children and offers strategies to broaden their food choices. It emphasizes the importance of allowing children agency in food decisions while encouraging food exploration and taking away power dynamics around meal choices. Additionally, it discusses the significance of extending lunchtime to promote healthier eating habits and offers practical tips to streamline lunch packing and create enjoyable food experiences for children.
The Role of School Lunches and Versatility of Lunchboxes
Although school lunches are a convenient option for some families, the podcast suggests assessing if they meet children's nutritional needs and enjoyment. It recommends maintaining communication with children about their school lunches to ensure satisfaction and energy levels. Moreover, it highlights the versatility of lunchboxes in providing predictability during various situations, offering snack options for on-the-go moments and promoting a positive food culture even when not packing lunches regularly.
I talked to writer Marnie Hanel on her new, incredibly beautiful book about packing lunch boxes for your kids. When this book was first brought to my attention, I scoffed. I am nothing if not a hater of high-pressure lunch packing for children. However: I was convinced to consider the book by the fact that one of my children’s lunch boxes came back pretty much uneaten most days.
ParentData relaunched in September 2023. Please enjoy this episode of the earlier version of the podcast from our archives. You can read transcripts and listen to all of our episodes at parentdata.org/podcast.
Want more on data, pregnancy, and parenting? Subscribe to the ParentData newsletter for free at parentdata.org.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode