Recently, I stumbled upon an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “Here’s Why You Should Pay Your Kids to Eat Their Vegetables.” As a mother to a particularly selective eater, my initial thought was, “Finally, a solution!” The article references a study from the Journal of Health Economics in which researchers launched incentive programs in elementary schools to encourage students to consume more fruits and vegetables. The study involved 8,000 children across 40 schools, where students received a 25-cent token for eating at least one fruit or vegetable during lunch, which could be exchanged for items at the school store or events like the book fair.
It’s worth noting that the kids could choose between a fruit or a vegetable to earn the token. I would wager that most kids gravitated toward apples and peaches. My own picky eater would certainly opt for the sweeter options, and while fruit is nutritious, if vegetables are easily overlooked, what’s the point?
The researchers reported that their strategy was successful, not just during the short duration of the program. They claimed that “these small incentives produced a dramatic increase in fruit and vegetable consumption during the incentive period,” and that the positive changes lasted up to two months after the program concluded.
The conclusion of the study suggests that offering a financial incentive to encourage healthier eating habits is effective. The researchers proposed a couple of reasons for this success, including positive peer pressure and the idea that simply eating fruits and vegetables can help children develop a preference for these foods.
While two months of increased consumption sounds promising, I would be interested to see how those same students are doing six months or even a year later. My guess is that the answer would be a resounding “no” when it comes to sustained vegetable intake.
I may come across as cynical, but my perspective is rooted in the reality of parenting—especially the challenges of encouraging children to eat healthily. I don’t believe it’s as straightforward as handing out quarters and expecting a lifelong love for vegetables to blossom.
I will admit that I do sometimes bribe my children to encourage certain behaviors. Whether it’s cash or candy (gasp!), I use these tactics in urgent situations, like getting my young child to put on his shoes quickly so we’re not late for school. However, when it comes to fostering long-term healthy habits, bribery simply isn’t the answer.
The intent behind the study is not to suggest that paying kids to eat their vegetables is a lifelong solution; rather, it aims to establish a habit that will encourage kids to naturally enjoy these foods. Nevertheless, I doubt that this newfound love for vegetables would last as long as the researchers claim, and I’m uncomfortable with the idea of my children linking healthy eating to financial rewards.
Absolutely, I want my children to be healthy, and that must take precedence over their picky eating habits. I can’t allow them to subsist solely on snack foods like goldfish crackers if left to their own devices. However, introducing money into the mix sends the wrong message. It suggests that there will always be a financial incentive for making healthy choices, implying that my parenting approach relies solely on bribery.
Perhaps these incentive programs are more effective in a school setting where such systems are already established. In schools, children can compartmentalize their environments, and desiring a reward that their peers are also pursuing differs significantly from receiving a quarter from their parents for consuming “yucky” broccoli.
That being said, I still face the ongoing challenge of ensuring my children eat well. My selective eater spent many years favoring bread products, chicken nuggets, and only a few bites of broccoli (the only green food he’d tolerate). We instituted a familiar household rule: “No dessert unless you eat your vegetables.” While this too may sound like bribery, it’s based on logic: you can’t fill up on junk unless you’ve eaten something nutritious first. (Desserts here are typically modest—just a piece of chocolate or some fruit gummies.)
I’m pleased to report that now, at nearly 10 years old, my vegetable-averse child occasionally requests vegetables. Admittedly, he only enjoys about three varieties, but his interest is genuine.
Although it took a decade rather than a quick three-week fix, I prefer that my son cultivates a natural affinity for vegetables rather than learning to eat them because of financial incentives.
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Summary:
In summary, while incentive programs to encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables may show short-term success, the long-term sustainability of such habits is questionable. Instead of relying on monetary rewards, fostering an intrinsic love for healthy foods is essential. Ultimately, guiding children toward healthier eating habits should be a gradual process without the use of financial incentives.
Keyphrase: parenting and healthy eating
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