After moving her family to France, one woman discovered tips on how to get her kids to eat all kinds of food.
She says she witnessed children in France eating a variety of foods with no fuss, no resistance and no whining.
And everyone thought this was normal.
Karen le Billon, a Rhodes Scholar and professor, discovered how to raise healthy eaters when her family was living in France.
She shares her secrets in her new book, "French Kids Eat Everything".
"I really think we have something to learn from the French when it comes to food," she says.
She says parents in France are less indulgent. Rule number one is no snacking, unlike American children who often snack 3 to 5 times a day and sip sugary drinks all day, kids in France only have one snack a day, right after school
"They don't ask for snacks no rummaging in cubboards no cup holders on strollers in France," she adds.
Some of her other advice from French parents says that children always eat the same food as their parents.
And you don't have to like it but you have to taste it.
One other tip from the French is to avoid emotional eating.
Don't use food as a pacifier, a distraction, a bribe, a reward, or a substitute for discipline.
This could create a healthier relationship with food down the road and prevent obesity.
The research varies, but it's thought that kids need to taste a new food 7 to 10 times before they will accept it.
LINK: http://karenlebillon.com/french-school-lunch-menus/
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