Food punishment
Food punishment is used as a way of achieving the correct and desired behavior. Food has been a way to entice subordinates into doing something. You want the someone to do achieve some sort of goal, or to act a certain way and then you will respond by rewarding them with food, cookies, treats and sugars. Food is often a way to punish people for undesired behavior or action. Some parents send toddlers to bed without dinner because they were not listening. Some parents say "if you don't eat your dinner then..." Food should never be used as a punishment or as a rewards.
Food punishment in Children
Plenty of research has shown the negative effects of using food as a form of rewarding children for behavior or when they have reached a certain goal.[1] Research has shown "kids consume more total calories, carbohydrates and fat daily when parents use food to reward behavior. For example, when the mothers of preschool-age children use food to ease their kids’ emotions, those children eat more sweets when they get upset. And a French study found that moms who used food as rewards for their children stimulated their kids’ tendency to overeat – even when their children aren’t hungry."
Once parents start noticing that they are using food as a reward, they will also begin to realize that they use food as a way to help their children cope with something, or to calm down. If a child gets hurt physically, or emotionally, a parent might offer icecream to console their feelings. If a little girl falls down and gets a scratch, mom might suggest going inside to get a cookie to help ease her pain. Over time a habit will begin to form where toddlers will lean toward food to help them cope with their physical and emotional feelings. Children will not learn how to cope with their emotions in a healthy manner if they were not taught as children.
What to do instead: If a child has done something good, then reward them with something good. You are constantly teaching your child things that are good and healthy for them, so why not reward them with something healthy? If they do something good, maybe get them a new book, a shirt, take them to the movies, or on a special trip. Rewards are good. There is nothing wrong with rewarding your child. We seek rewards throughout our lives into adulthood and that is what keeps us motivated to become better people. You know your child the best and so you can reward them with something that you know that they will love. Instead of giving them something to make them feel better, maybe try just spending quality time with them. Toddler view quality time with parents above anything else. Maybe suggest reading a book together, going on a walk, looking at the cloud, or jumping through the sprinklers. Don't bribe them with food or material object. Teach them that they don't need things to help solve their pain.
Parents should also not use food as a punishment. Food is an absolute necessity to our survival. All humans need food, water and oxygen to be able to live. Telling your child that they can't have food because " A, B and C" it is just like saying, "because you hit your brother you need to hold your breath until you have learned your lesson." You would never say that, so why take away food? You would never withhold water either, so why withhold food? According to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, "Recent studies have shown, however, that when food is used this way, it loses its meaning as a necessary part of our lives."
In conclusion
Food as punishment can influence the behavior of a person may work in the short term but will probably fail in the long term. Most punishments have a balloon effect: pushing in one point will cause other unpredictable effects elsewhere.
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References
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