In today’s food landscape, the way children interact with ultra-processed foods can vary dramatically. This has been highlighted by Kerri Boutelle, a psychologist at the University of California, San Diego, who shared a personal observation from her own family. The eating habits of her children, when faced with ice cream cones, underscored a key insight into children’s eating behaviors.
“One child would eat half of the ice cream cone and put it down,” Boutelle recalls, while another child consumed quickly and even grabbed the leftover cone from the sibling. Boutelle’s observations align with emerging research: not all children react to ultra-processed foods in the same manner.
A concept known as a strong food reward drive explains why some children have a heightened motivation to eat. Psychologist Ashley Gearhardt from the University of Michigan explains that these kids often feel hungry, eat quickly, and find it challenging to feel satiated. While they can regulate their intake with whole foods, ultra-processed foods pose a significant challenge.
Gearhardt points out that conventional advice on ultra-processed foods may not be effective for children with a strong food reward drive. They require specialized guidance to navigate an environment rich in these foods. “A strong reward drive served people in times of famine, but it’s a nightmare in an ultra-processed food environment,” she observes.
Identifying a Strong Food Reward Drive in Children
On average, children in the U.S. derive nearly 70% of their caloric intake from ultra-processed foods, which include ingredients like preservatives and emulsifiers. Excessive consumption of these foods is linked to numerous health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, and obesity.
There’s a growing scientific consensus that such foods are engineered to promote overeating. “Ultra-processed foods are engineered for people to over-consume them,” says psychiatrist Agnes Ayton from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London. These foods disrupt our natural hunger and satiety signals, making it difficult to eat only what is necessary.
Strategies for Supporting Children with a Strong Food Reward Drive
1. Limit the presence of ultra-processed foods at home.
Rather than storing a variety of ultra-processed foods and trying to control portions later, Boutelle advises keeping them out of the house as much as possible. This can prevent setting children up for failure.
2. Allow these foods in social settings but not at home.
While it’s challenging to avoid purchasing these items, keeping them out of the home can be beneficial. This strategy enables children to learn how to make healthier choices when outside, such as at parties or school events, without feeling completely deprived.
3. If stocking them, limit to no more than three types.
Research suggests that having fewer options reduces consumption. Boutelle recommends keeping just a few ultra-processed items at home to minimize temptation.
4. Reserve ultra-processed foods for special occasions.
Ashley Gearhardt employs this approach by maintaining a diet of minimally processed foods at home, reserving ultra-processed items for special gatherings. This strategy supports healthy eating habits, even for children with a strong food reward drive.
By understanding and acknowledging the differences in how children respond to ultra-processed foods, parents can create a supportive environment that encourages healthier eating habits.
Edited by Jane Greenhalgh
Copyright 2025 NPR
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