How to Help Picky Eaters

Toddlers are prone to picky dietary habits. A toddler’s development rate and hunger slow down after the rapid growth of infancy when kids often triple in weight. Toddlers are also starting to form food preferences, which may be a tricky process. A toddler’s favorite food one day might end up on the floor the next, or a snubbed item might become his or her favorite overnight. They may only eat one or two of their favorite foods for weeks at a time. This is, however, a typical child behavior that should not anger you. What you should do? Simply provide nutritious meal options for your child and believe that his or her appetite and eating habits will improve over time. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you get through the finicky eater stage.

10 Ways to Help your Child Get through the Finicky Eater Stage

Respect your Child’s Appetite

If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack on them. Don’t bribe or coerce your child into eating specific meals or wiping their plate. This could exacerbate or worsen a power conflict over food. Don’t get heated up if your child refuses to eat. Children benefit from learning to listen to their bodies and use hunger as a guide. If they ate a large breakfast or lunch, for example, they might not want to eat much for the remainder of the day. It is the obligation of the parent to give food, and it is the child’s decision whether or not to eat it. Pressuring children to eat or punishing them if they don’t can cause them to actively despise things that they might otherwise enjoy. Furthermore, your child may connect mealtime with anxiety and frustration, or they may become less attentive to hunger and fullness signs.

Encourage Family Style

Eat dinner together as a family as often as possible. This means no watching TV or talking on the phone during meals. Make the most of this opportunity to set a positive example for healthy eating. Serve one dinner to the whole family and don’t feel compelled to make a second if your child rejects the first. As a result, picky eating will only become more common. Whether she eats it or not, continue to serve a balanced meal by including at least one food your child adores with each meal.

Make Food Fun

Toddlers are particularly sensitive to foods offered in unique or unexpected ways. To make dishes more enticing, arrange them in appealing vivid shapes that children will recognize. Any food that involves dipping is also popular with this age range. Finger meals are popular with toddlers as well. Cut solid foods into bite-sized pieces that they can eat on their own, keeping in mind that the pieces must be small enough to avoid choking.

Include your Children in Meal Planning

Getting children involved in cooking, grocery shopping, and meal selection is one of the most important things you can do to broaden their interest in food. Taking kids to the grocery store and letting them choose a few nutritious products they’d like to try may make mealtime interesting and exciting while also instilling confidence in them. Allow children to assist you in preparing meals and snacks by assigning them age-appropriate chores such as washing or peeling produce or placing food on plates, and as an added bonus, you will also be assisting children in developing a skill that they will be able to utilize for the rest of their lives: making healthy meals.

Rule out Food Intolerances

Although children’s picky eating is typical, it’s also a good idea to rule out food intolerances and allergies. While allergies show themselves as rashes, itching, and swelling of the face or throat, intolerances are more difficult to spot. Keep track of what your child refuses to eat by writing it down in a journal. If your child avoids certain foods, such as dairy products, gluten-containing meals, or cruciferous vegetables, they may be suffering from the symptoms of food intolerance. Also, inquire if certain meals make your child feel queasy, bloated, or sick in any way, and take their response carefully. If you suspect your child has a food allergy or intolerance, consult with his or her pediatrician to determine the best course of action.

Be Patient with New Foods

Young toddlers frequently touch and smell unfamiliar foods, and they may even put small pieces in their mouths and subsequently swallow them. Before your child takes the first bite of a new meal, he or she may need to be exposed to it several times.
Encourage your youngster by discussing the color, shape, aroma, and texture of a dish, rather than if it tastes delicious. Serve different dishes in addition to your child’s favorites. Continue to offer healthy options to your child until he or she is accustomed to them and prefers them.

Stick to the Routine

Ensure that meals and snacks are served at roughly the same times every day. If your child refuses to eat a meal, a regular snack time will give them the opportunity to consume nutritious items. Water should be accessible between meals and snacks, although milk or 100 percent juice can be served with the food. Allowing your youngster to drink a lot of juice, milk, or snacks throughout the day may decrease his or her urge to eat.

Reward your child the Right Way

Most parents are guilty of frequently enticing their kids to try new foods by promising a later dessert or treat as a reward. This, however, may not be the most effective method for increasing food acceptability. When kids are rewarded with unhealthy foods like ice cream, chips, or drink, they may consume an excessive number of calories and eat when they are not hungry. Non-food rewards are the best way to improve food acceptance. One technique is to simply use verbal praise to show them that you are proud of them. Non-food-related rewards that you may employ to promote meal acceptance include stickers, pencils, extra playtime, or enabling your child to choose a favorite game to play after dinner.

Make use of Mindful Eating Methods

Getting your child to be aware of their hunger and fullness feelings may result in beneficial improvements in your picky eater. Instead of pleading with a child to take a few more bites, inquire about their feelings. “Does your stomach have room for another bite?” “Does this taste good to you?” are questions that you can ask your child. This will help convey the child’s perspective on how hungry they are and how the meal is affecting them. It also helps children become more aware of their hunger and satiation signals. Respect your child’s ability to recognize when he or she is full, and don’t encourage them to eat past that point.

Encourage Dining with Friends

Peers, like parents, can have an impact on a child’s eating habits. Having your kids eat meals with other kids their age who are more adventurous eaters may encourage them to try new things. Children who dine with other children are more likely to consume more calories and try more foods. If you’re cooking for your child and their friends, try mixing in some new meals with old favorites. It’s possible that observing other kids try different meals will encourage your picky eater to try them as well.

Now that you Know…

If you’re worried about your child’s diet, go to your pediatrician. They can help you troubleshoot and ensure that your child is getting all of the nutrients they need to grow and develop. Keep in mind that fussy eating is usually a natural stage of growth for toddlers. Make every effort to patiently lead them along the path of healthy eating.