The way we speak about food and eating with our children is so important. Children need to learn the importance of healthy eating and mealtimes early on in their lives and creative healthy associations with eating behaviours. This is especially important when they are pushing boundaries with trying new foods or refusing foods. We want to create a happy eating environment not one when where they feel forced or anxious around eating.
I stumbled upon this great resource for parents about ways to talk to your toddler or child that will empower them or create positive eating behaviours.
This resource can be found at this website
http://www.letsgo.org/wp-content/uploads/Phrases-that-HELP-and-HINDER1.pdf