If it seems like your child somehow exists on oxygen alone, don’t fret. Most kids go through a stage of picky eating; in fact, 40 percent of all children under the age of six are picky eaters. They will mostly grow out of it in a few years, but there are many ways to get your children the nutrition they need in the meantime.
Kids are naturally cautious and suspicious about trying anything new. It may take several attempts for your child to even try a new food and then several more tastes before they like it. Try giving your picky eaters lots of options like a main course, rice or bread and a fruit or vegetable. Keep the portions small since they are more appealing to kids. After all, a toddler’s stomach is only the size of his fist and he probably needs less food than you think he does.
Try getting your kids involved in what is served for dinner. Give your child a choice between two vegetables like broccoli or carrots so that he or she is more interested in the food when dinnertime rolls around. Let your children help you prepare dinner as well by pouring ingredients or being your sous chef. Invite them to come shopping with you and pick out their favorite fruit or a different vegetable each week.
Think you’ll never get your toddler to eat salad? Try setting up a salad bar with lots of fresh veggies so that your kids can fix it the way they like it. Who cares if it’s all cucumbers and no lettuce? Making fun a part of food is a surefire way to get those picky eaters to eat healthy.
Rename vegetables so they seem more appealing—call broccoli “little trees” for example. Try presenting the food in a different way. Spear some fruit on a skewer with a blunt tip or put toothpicks in tiny portions of food so that your child can sample each one. Maybe ditch the plates altogether and serve tiny portions out of an ice cube tray or muffin pan. If your child shies away from the traditional sandwich, try rolling up some cheese and lunch meat in a tortilla or pita wrap.
If your child is very possessive of his belongings, snag a carrot off his plate and say “Mine!” Chances are he will eat one out of protest. If there are other siblings in the house, ask if you can give whatever food he is not eating to his brother or sister. Although it may be a pain at other times, his reluctance to share may do the trick at dinnertime.
Do not force your child to eat, because chances are this will only backfire. It can also lead to overeating later since he won’t know how to tell when he is full. Also, don’t use dessert as a bribe; your children will view eating the proper food as a punishment. Instead give your children a little dessert regardless of what they eat, so that they learn sweets can be a small part of a healthy diet.
