Picky Eaters Tricks
for Frustrated Parents
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Do you have picky eaters in your house? Are you concerned about your toddler’s nutrition? If so, you’re not alone. Many parents worry about their toddler’s foods choices or lack of them. Toddlers are beginning to develop a sense of self and independence. This can make them reluctant to try new things including foods. Picky eaters can be difficult but know that it is a normal part of toddler development and that there are easy tips that will get both of you through this challenging toddler time. Force tasting should never be used with picky eaters to get them to try a new food. This will create a battle of wills and cause your toddler to become more resistant to try new foods.Provide a variety of nutritious foods for your toddler to eat. Offer the food in a relaxed manner trying not to draw attention to the food.Avoid using sweets as a reward for trying new foods or finishing a plate of food. This teaches your toddler that dessert is the best food because it is a reward or treat. Plan meals that have foods that you know you toddler will eat and one new food. Place a small amount of the new food (1 tablespoon) on the plate along with the rest of the meal. Introduce one new food at a time. Too many new foods introduced all at once can over whelm your toddler and make him become more difficult to feed.
Do not draw attention to the new food on your toddler’s plate and do not respond to any negative responses about the food made by your toddler.Resist insisting that your toddler clean his plate. This can set up the possibilities of childhood eating disorders or obesity. Offer foods to your toddler that are age appropriate. For example, do not offer artichokes or olives as a new food to a picky eater.Use familiar foods or variations of familiar foods like pasta or veggies with sauces or cooked differently. Your toddler’s stomach is only as large as his fist. Serve portions that are appropriate to your child’s age . What seems like picky or poor eating habits might be normal for your toddler. Each child is an individual so try not to compare one child's appetite to your toddler's.Toddlers eat in three day cycles. This means he might eat one day like he’s starving eating anything you place in front of him. The next day might be a day of very little appetite and picky eating habits. Day three might be a day of one good meal and the rest of the day small bites. Toddlers like adults and may have certain sensory responses to certain foods. Some toddlers will resist a food because of color, smell or textures. Know that this is normal and accept this as part of your toddler’s personality. There are a number of ways to add nutritional value to favorite foods. Add fruit to cereal, yogurt or cottage cheese. Fruit smoothies are another great way to add nutrition. Add fruit, yogurt and milk in a blender and chill. This is a tasty way to sneak in nutrition for your picky eater.Add vegetables to sauces like spaghetti or marinara. Cut them fine and don‘t over load the main meal.Dipping sauces like Bar-B-Que, Ranch Dressing, Sweet/Sour and Ketchup can change a picky eaters mind. Minimize distractions at the table. If a sibling is running around nearby, or a cartoon beckons from across the room, your toddler may have trouble maintaining interest in the food being served. Try to make meals relaxed and quiet.Do not play the short order cook for your toddler. If your toddler does not eat what you have fixed him place the plate on the counter and put your toddler down. When he is indicating that he is hungry give him his plate back. Do not make other foods for him. This is teaching him that he does not have to eat what is placed before him because mommy will get him what he wants.
- Set good eating examples for your children by allowing them to see you eat nutritious foods and by keeping nutritious foods in the house. Try to avoid buying junk foods. When toddlers know that there are chips in the pantry he’s going to naturally want them.
- Try to mix your own trail mix for snack and travel times. Take nutritious cereal like wheat, corn or rice checks, yogurt raisins ,nuts, dried fruits and pretzels and mix in a big zip lock bag. This is usually well liked by toddlers, offers nutritious snacking and is easy for you.
- Toddlers will binge on foods. For example, your toddler might decide that Mac and cheese is all he wants to eat all day for days at a time. This is a normal occurrence so don’t fret. Just offer him a choice and allow him to have his binge food. Don’t run out and buy all the Mac N’Cheese boxes you can find because he will change his mind and start on something else.
- Use peer pressure to get picky eaters to eat. Invite friends over or have siblings eat with the picky eater to encourage him to eat a variety of foods.
- Make foods fun. Use cookie cutters to cut breads or sandwiches. Dip veggies into different dips. Cut foods into shapes like wedges or circles.
- Take your toddler with your to the grocery store. Have him help pick out his food. Talk to him about the different kinds of foods and what you like about them.
- Allow them to participate in appropriate meal time preparations. Toddlers can help you pour his cereal and milk. He can help make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Let him wash fruits and veggies by standing on a chair at the sink.
- If you are concerned about your toddler’s nutrition try keeping a food log of what your toddler eats over the course of a week. Most often parents find that their toddlers are eating a variety of foods just not each every day.
- If you find that your toddler is not consuming an acceptable amount of food over a seven day period and you are concerned about his growth you should take the food log to your pediatrician and discuss your concerns.
- Set meal times and snack time routines and try to keep to this schedule. Do not allow your toddler to graze or drink filling fluids like milk or juice at least one hour before meal times.
Try not to get frustrated or take your toddler's lack of enthusiasm over the meals you serve personally. If you remain concerned for your toddler's nutrition think about adding a multivitamin to your toddler's daily routine.
Baby Food Tips
Picky Eaters
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