Why is it essential to allow children to serve themselves during meals?

Allowing children to serve themselves during meals promotes a better understanding of portion sizes because it empowers them to make choices about how much food they would like to eat. When children have the opportunity to decide their own portions, they can learn to listen to their hunger cues and recognize when they are full, fostering a more intuitive relationship with food. This practice can help them develop self-regulation skills concerning eating, which is important for their overall health and nutrition as they grow. Additionally, being involved in the process of serving themselves can increase their engagement with the meal, making them more likely to try new foods and enjoy a wider variety of foods in a balanced diet.