Recently, I stumbled upon an article in the Wall Street Journal entitled “Here’s Why You Should Pay Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables.” As the mother of a picky eater, I found myself thinking, “Could this be the solution I’ve been searching for?” The piece references a study from the Journal of Health Economics, where researchers tried to encourage elementary school students to munch on more fruits and vegetables by introducing incentive programs. About 8,000 kids from 40 different schools participated. They could earn a 25-cent token for each fruit or vegetable they ate during lunch, tokens that could be exchanged for goodies at the school store, carnival, or book fair.
It’s interesting to note that students had the choice of either fruit or vegetables to earn their reward. I can almost guarantee that most kids gravitated toward apples and peaches. As a parent to a selective eater, I know my child would opt for sweets if given the choice, and while fruit is nutritious, it doesn’t help if vegetables are simply ignored.
The researchers claimed their approach was effective, not just during the brief period of the program, but that the increase in consumption of fruits and veggies lasted for up to two months after the incentives ended. The conclusion they reached was that offering a monetary reward to encourage kids to eat healthier is acceptable—and it works. They suggest that factors like peer influence and the act of trying fruits and vegetables can change a child’s taste preferences, leading to a greater desire for these foods.
While a two-month improvement sounds promising, I would love to check back with those schools six months or a year later to see if the kids are still eating plenty of produce. My hunch is that the answer would be a resounding no.
I may come off as a bit cynical, but I’m just a realistic parent who understands the challenges of getting kids to eat healthily. I don’t believe it’s as straightforward as, “Here’s a quarter; now you’ll love vegetables for life.”
I’ll readily admit that I sometimes resort to bribing my kids to get them to do things. I’ve offered them money and even candy (gasp!) when I need them to act fast, like getting my toddler to put on his shoes so we can pick up his sibling from school on time. However, I’m not convinced that bribery will help my kids develop long-lasting healthy eating habits.
The study’s goal wasn’t to suggest that I should pay my kids to eat vegetables indefinitely. The idea was to make fruit and vegetable consumption a habit that could lead to a genuine appreciation for these foods over time. However, I doubt that this newfound love for veggies would last as long as the researchers claim, and I certainly don’t want my children to associate healthy eating with being bribed, especially with money.
I do want my kids to be healthy, and I can’t allow them to live on goldfish crackers alone (which they would do if given the chance). But introducing monetary rewards sends the wrong message. It implies that there will always be an incentive for making healthy choices, and that I can only motivate them through bribery. I’m not on board with that approach.
Perhaps this incentive strategy works better in schools, where such systems are more commonplace. Kids can usually differentiate between their school and home environments. Earning a reward among peers feels different than getting a quarter from a parent for eating “yucky” broccoli.
That being said, I still face challenges when it comes to feeding my kids. My picky son spent years primarily eating bread products, nuggets, and a few bites of broccoli here and there (yes, it’s impressive that he would even tolerate broccoli). We followed the common household rule: “No dessert until you eat your veggies.” While this might seem like bribery too, it’s a logical approach: you can’t fill up on treats unless you’ve consumed something nutritious first. (Our desserts are typically simple—just a square of chocolate or some fruit gummies.)
I’m pleased to share that now, at nearly 10 years old, my vegetable-averse son sometimes asks for veggies. He may only have three he enjoys, but it’s a genuine request.
While it took a decade instead of a quick fix, I’d prefer for my son to develop a love for vegetables organically rather than through monetary incentives. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination and related topics, check out this informative page or visit Make a Mom for authoritative advice. You can also explore this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
The author reflects on a Wall Street Journal article suggesting that paying children to eat vegetables can lead to improved eating habits. While the idea seems attractive, the author doubts the long-term effectiveness of such incentives and emphasizes the importance of instilling healthy habits without relying on bribery.