The Food Chain How to have a stress-free family meal
Mar 26, 2026
Charlotte Stirling-Reed, child nutritionist and author, gives practical tips for relaxed feeding. Sharon Wee, food writer from Singapore now in New York, shares family food traditions and involving kids in cooking. Anne Fischel, clinical psychologist and family therapist, explains mealtime research and why atmosphere matters. They discuss picky eating, cooking with children, rituals, and stress-free mealtime strategies.
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Kids Who Cook Eat More Adventurously
- Anne Fischel's boys loved helping in the kitchen and ate what they made.
- She gave them cabinet space and tasks like pulling basil and stirring, which made them adventurous eaters.
Family Hot Pot Became A Living Tradition
- Sharon Wee developed family shabu-shabu and rituals like Friday pizza to bond her family.
- Their version dumps many ingredients into a hot pot, creating a relaxed, communal tradition.
Mealtime Battles Are Often About Control
- Food fights often mask children's need for control.
- Anne Fischel: Allowing autonomy at the table and shifting focus to atmosphere reduces mealtime power struggles.