Is it advisable to clean up leftover food left by children on their plates?

BarcelonaWho hasn't finished off their children's plates at some point? It feels bad to leave those two beans, a piece of fish, maybe a potato, a few orange slices, the end of an apple or half a yoghurt... but is it healthy to pick up what the rest of the family doesn't finish? Is this habit advisable?

"The important thing is to eat what we need and stop when we feel full. Finishing the leftovers from other people's plates is not a good nutritional habit," says Mònica Peitx, a pediatric endocrinologist at CEPEM and author of the story. Mia and Bru are growing up healthy (Editorial Juventud, 2020). Peitx also values the use of food, and therefore recommends, if possible, saving what has not been finished for another meal. This idea that nothing can be left on the plate is wrong. Just as we do not insist when they pee that they do more, we should not insist that they finish everything on the plate: we must respect the feeling of satiety and when the child says that they have had enough. "We should not insist with the typical "Go on, one more spoonful." It is good to stop eating when they have had enough and it is advisable to explain this to them from when they are small, without forgetting the importance of not wasting," says the doctor. Eating leftovers from children is an unhealthy habit for adults, since they stop making a healthy meal, whether they eat more than what corresponds to their portion or if they decide not to eat anything because they think that they will have enough with the children's waste.

What should be taken into account?

We make meals together. Eating together is always a good habit, serving as an example and sharing food. It is an opportunity for children to learn, especially from what they see.

We eat with awareness. It is important to be there for the food, not to distract them with electronic devices, stories or songs, since this way they are more aware of what they eat and will realize when they are full.

Ask them about their appetite. We can ask them if they are very hungry or not very hungry, but not what they want to eat, at least not on a regular basis. Parents should know what their children need to eat to follow a balanced diet and children should be clear about it. For example, they can choose between apple or pear, but they will have to eat fruit.

Let's see how much they eat. Even if you think they should eat a bigger sandwich, if they never finish it, you need to make it smaller, so there won't be any left over. If there are siblings with different appetites, we respect their needs, it is not necessary for all portions to be the same.

We don't always get satisfied in the same way. You should not always eat the same amount. If they have a cold or are more tired, they will certainly be less hungry: we respect both their hunger and their eating rhythm.

We respect mealtime. We sit at the table during mealtimes, so they don't feel like leaving the table to watch TV or play. It's important to sit at the table without rushing, respecting everyone's pace.

We take advantage of food. We save the leftovers for another meal or reuse them to make another dish. If there is leftover spinach or mushrooms, we make an omelette with the leftovers, for example. If it is not possible to save it, we should remember that it is not advisable to eat it shortly after.

Let's have time to fast. If you are worried that they have eaten too little at one meal, they will eat more at another. Above all, and as long as the babies are healthy, do not give them food between meals, as there must be a fasting period.