Goodbye to eating everything: This pediatrician debunks one of the biggest myths about parenting

There’s an urban legend among parents that claims a child is either part of the group that sleeps well but doesn’t eat or the one that eats well but doesn’t sleep. Then, there are the rare children – like mythical creatures – who somehow manage to sleep well and eat well. As the saying goes, “They exist, but few have seen them.”

For many parents, mealtime can feel like a battleground, while for children, it often becomes an unpleasant ordeal. And just when you think you’ve done everything right, teaching your kids to eat a bit of everything, pediatrician Carlos González offers a radically different perspective: the goal isn’t to teach children to eat everything, but to teach them to eat very little of certain things.

In an interview with La Voz de Galicia, González explained, “You don’t need to teach children to eat everything; you need to teach them to eat almost nothing. The temptations to eat things we shouldn’t are endless. And on TV, it’s almost rare to see advertisements for healthy foods. There are plenty of people interested in teaching our kids to eat everything—which often means fried foods, processed, and ultra-processed products.”

The role of parents

González stresses that one of the key issues lies with the parents. “It’s the parents’ responsibility to have healthy food at home because the child has the right to eat what they want. They’ll eat what they want from what’s available at home, and that is clearly your responsibility.”

He also points out that the real problem with food isn’t additives like colorants and preservatives. “The real issue is the excessive amounts of salt and sugar we consume, along with the lack of fiber, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. And many people think that if an ultra-processed food is labeled as organic or ‘local,’ that somehow makes it okay. No, that’s not the solution.”

A child who eats paper and sand is also capable of eating vegetables and fish.

Carlos González, pediatrician

Developing tastes naturally

On introducing certain foods, González believes in trusting a child’s natural curiosity: “A child who eats paper and sand is also capable of eating vegetables and fish. Around 12 months or so, children begin to be more selective, but most have similar tastes. They like rice with tomato, pasta, chicken, fries, and aren’t too keen on vegetables. They like fruit a bit more because it’s sweet. But it doesn’t really matter—these preferences change over time. That said, leaving them alone doesn’t mean making them pasta every day.”

The pediatrician advocates for patience and a hands-off approach. Insisting or pressuring children to eat certain foods can backfire, making them develop a stronger aversion. Instead, allowing them to take their time and discover their preferences naturally might lead them to accept those foods in the long run.

The reality of parenting

Of course, González acknowledges the theory doesn’t always align with real-life challenges. Every family, every child, and every schedule is different - balancing mealtimes with school, homework, bedtime, and other responsibilities often complicates the process. But his advice remains clear: creating a positive, low-pressure environment around food can make a big difference in the long term.

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