🥣 Introduction
At Galway Nutrition & Therapy Clinic, we believe that supporting a healthy relationship with food is just as important as ensuring a diet is nutritionally balanced. A growing body of evidence supports the idea that children thrive when they are trusted to listen to their own bodies—to eat when they’re hungry, stop when they’re full, and enjoy a wide variety of foods without guilt or pressure.
👩‍🍳 What Is Normal Eating?
Ellyn Satter, a well-known feeding therapist and dietitian, defines normal eating as:
- Eating when hungry and stopping when satisfied
- Choosing foods you enjoy without guilt
- Sometimes eating too much or too little and learning from it
- Eating regularly (meals and snacks)
- Being flexible and trusting your body over time
🇮🇪 Irish Context: Hot School Meals & Feeding Confidence
In Ireland, the rollout of the Hot School Meals Scheme has created new opportunities to support childhood nutrition. However, to be effective, this initiative must also foster a safe, non-judgemental mealtime environment where children feel confident and in control.
âś… Practical Tips for Parents and Educators
- Let children decide how much to eat
- Avoid pressuring or bribing them to finish food
- Provide a variety of foods, even if not all are eaten
- Avoid labelling foods as 'good' or 'bad'
- Model balanced, relaxed eating yourself
🏫 Linking to the Hot School Meals Programme
As this programme expands, schools must:
- Ensure relaxed, inclusive eating environments
- Use appropriate, non-stigmatising nutrition language
- Involve CORU Registered Dietitians in menu planning
- Support neurodivergent or sensitive eaters
- Communicate with families openly and supportively
đź“ž Need Support?
At Galway Nutrition & Therapy Clinic, we offer:
- Nutrition consultations for families
- Fussy eating and feeding therapy
- School workshops on children’s nutrition and eating behaviour
Contact us at info@gntc.ie or visit www.gntc.ie to learn more.
