Recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Here’s Why You Should Pay Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables.” As a physician and a parent of a child with selective eating habits, my initial thought was, “Could this actually work for my little one?” The article references a study published in the Journal of Health Economics, which explored incentive programs in elementary schools aimed at encouraging children to consume more fruits and vegetables. The study involved 8,000 students across 40 schools. Kids received a 25-cent token for eating at least one serving of fruit or vegetable during lunch, which they could then redeem at the school store or events like carnivals.
It’s interesting to note that participants could choose any fruit or vegetable, but I can’t help but wonder how many kids opted for sweeter fruits like apples and peaches instead of the less popular veggies. My own child would likely go for the sweeter options, and while fruits are nutritious, if vegetables can be so easily ignored, what’s the point? The researchers proudly claimed that their initiative led to a significant uptick in fruit and vegetable consumption during the incentive period, with some lasting effects for up to two months after the program ended.
The conclusion drawn is that offering monetary incentives for healthy eating is effective—at least in the short term. They posit that factors like peer influence and the exposure to different textures and flavors might help shift children’s preferences. While a two-month improvement sounds promising, I can’t help but question the long-term impact. Six months down the road, I suspect the kids wouldn’t be eating their greens with the same enthusiasm.
I may come across as skeptical, but as a parent, I prefer to be realistic about the challenges of instilling healthy eating habits. I understand that bribery can work in the moment—I’ve done it myself, using money or even candy, particularly when I need my child to cooperate quickly, like putting on shoes to get to school on time.
However, I believe that for lasting change in dietary habits, bribery isn’t the solution. The study’s premise isn’t about paying kids forever; it’s about establishing a habit that fosters a genuine love for fruits and vegetables. Yet, I worry that introducing the concept of payment for healthy eating could send the wrong message—that healthy choices are simply transactional.
Moreover, what happens when the incentive program loses its appeal? I wouldn’t want my children to think that healthy eating is only worth it when there’s a reward involved. At home, my approach has been more about establishing a routine: dessert is only available after vegetables are consumed. It sounds a bit like bribery too, but it’s rooted in logic—fill up on nutritious food before indulging in treats.
I’m pleased to say that my ten-year-old, who once resisted vegetables, now occasionally asks for them. It may have taken years rather than a few weeks, but I’d prefer my child to develop a genuine affinity for vegetables without the influence of financial incentives.
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In summary, while paying kids to eat their vegetables might yield short-term results, I believe that fostering a genuine appreciation for healthy foods is a far more sustainable approach. The goal should be to cultivate a lifelong preference for nutritious eating without relying on monetary rewards.