Is your child a picky eater? If you answered yes, you must be going insane trying to find different options to feed them and to try to provide them with the nutrition they need.
If your child is a picky eater, he/she will be very fussy during mealtime. They will only eat one or two types of food and you may find mealtime a real struggle because of their low desire to eat certain foods. What you feed them today may not be eaten the next day.
As frustrating as it may be, it is important to understand that having a picky eater won’t last forever. It is, however, important to follow certain tips and guidelines to help you overcome the picky-eating phase with your child.
We interviewed Certified Parenting and Positive Psychology Coach, , to learn more about the psychological aspect of force-feeding children and finding a more positive approach.
The following are tips to help you with your picky eater.
- Respect your child’s appetite
- Plan family meals
- Eat at regular times
- Limit distractions
- Let them help you prepare food
- Keep offering them food
- Keep it fun
- Finger food is key
Respect your child’s appetite
Via: Mom.com – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
“Making mealtime a struggle will only make things worse and will only make your child associate mealtime with anxiety and fear which will lead to more resistance,” Dr. Rana explained. If you offer your child food and they refuse, simply respect their desire and offer them food later. Your child will not stay hungry for long neither will they starve themselves.
The certified parenting and positive psychology coach recommended sitting on a dinner table with the entire family to encourage your child to eat. “Children like to imitate grownups. Enjoying the setting of a dinner table with food and turning mealtime into a family activity will definitely motivate your child to eat.”
Plan family meals
Via: Deseret News – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
The certified parenting and positive psychology coach recommended sitting on a dinner table with the entire family will help encourage your child to eat. “Children like to imitate grown-ups and feel that they are grown-ups themselves. Having the setting of a dinner table with food and making mealtime a family activity will definitely motivate your child to eat.”
Eat at regular times
Via: First Cry Parenting – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
“Make a schedule for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Offer your child two snacks between main meals. Sticking to a meal routine will help you if your child chooses to skip a meal. For example, if they don’t eat breakfast, they will most probably feel hungry by lunchtime and may actually eat a proper meal. If your child skips more than one meal, offer them a snack such as fruits or veggies, and water to make sure they stay hydrated,” Dr. Rana continued.
Limit distractions
Via: Dissolve – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
Leaving your child in front of the television or tablet while they eat will make them associate mealtime with watching cartoons. During mealtime, your child needs to focus on one thing: eating. “Provide your kids with a proper setting and make sure you explain to them that they are sitting there to eat,” the parenting expert recommended.
Let them help you prepare food
Via: Halton Parents – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
“This trick can start with your grocery trip, let your son or daughter help you choose fruits and vegetables. Let them feel like they are helping you out. When you are home, ask your child to join you in the kitchen to help you cook, while making sure that the kitchen is child-friendly with no dangerous items in reach. Making them feel like they helped in preparing the food may give them the desire to eat what they cooked,” Hany advised.
Keep offering them food
Via: Raw Pixel Picky – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
“If you offer your child a meal and they refuse, let them be. In an hour or so, offer them the same food, if they said no, offer them any other kind of food.” Keep offering them different options until they give in and agree to eat.
Keep it fun
Via: Baby and Child – Healthy tricks for picky eaters
Children eat with their eyes first. Try to make fun shapes with fruits or vegetables. Make a smiley face with eggs, pancakes, cucumbers, or tomatoes. Try to make shapes and make your child’s plate colorful to encourage them to eat.
Finger food is key
Via: Family Food On The Table
“My golden rule is to always have finger food on you; whether it’s playtime or when going out. Preparing a healthy homemade snack to munch on while playing is a great idea.”
DNAO SAS – RCS Lyon 517 441 820 – Limonest, BA
*This article is a collaboration with Danone*
Further reading:
- How to Hide Veggies in Pasta for Picky Eaters
- How to Hide Veggies in Pasta for Picky Eaters
- 6 Super Delicious Pumpkin Recipes You Must Try This Fall
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