Tips for Feeding Picky Eaters
Picky eaters can lead to a lot of mealtime frustration for parents. Some children oppose food because they are sensitive to tastes and textures and others refuse certain things as a way to show some control. Whatever the cause, it is important to ensure that your child is getting the right nutrition to grow.
To help along your picky eater try focusing on creative ways to encourage healthy eating habits.
Here are a few tips:
- Sneak in the veggies. Try pureeing or finely chopping some veggies such as zucchini, broccoli, and carrots and sneaking them into marinara sauce and serving over pasta.
- Enlist your helper. Get your little one to help you place food into bowls and watch as you chop veggies. Try to make it a little fun and sing songs while cooking. You can even ask them to help you shop at the grocery store. This mealtime involvement will help teach them how food is prepared.
- Set an example. Keep healthy food such as fresh fruit and veggies on display when possible. Make an effort to show your child how you and other family members and friends enjoy eating them.
- Don’t force your child to eat new foods. Start by putting different foods on their plate so they can get used to the food’s look and smell. It may take several rounds of this before your child decides to take a bite but more exposures increase the likelihood they will learn to enjoy the food eventually.
- Fancy it up. Use healthy dips such as yogurt, hummus or ketchup to encourage your child to eat fruits, vegetables, and meats.
