Tips for picky eaters

Tips for picky eaters.

It’s not surprising to hear that parents find feeding their family stressful, especially if they are having to prepare more than one meal each evening and hear some remarks about food from your picky eaters’ kid.   In these situations, it’s not uncommon for food preparation to begin in the afternoon and finish much later in the night (i.e. after feeding the children and then cooking another meal that is eaten later, with their partner). In short, this means parents are often dealing with food (i.e. either cooking, feeding, cleaning up) for several hours of every evening.

Yes, picky eaters can be offered the same meal as the rest of the family. One-year-old babies may, however, need it chopped up so they can manage to feed themselves. And, of course, they will probably still need help with foods such as yoghurt, custard, soup and other foods that are eaten from a spoon.

I can hear individuals saying at this moment, "yet picky eaters won't eat what we eat". And you’re right. If it’s not offered to them, then they definitely won’t! So here are some tips to help your kids eat what you are eating, in a bid to give your evenings back to you, and make your life a bit easier.

Offer some of your leftover meals from an early age, so they are familiar with the food. 

Aim to serve dinner two and a half to three hours following afternoon tea as this will ensure your child is hungry when they come to the meal.

Often, parents serve dinner too close to afternoon tea, but children need to feel hungry in order to want to eat. 

Let them decide what to eat from the foods that you offer them. Coaxing, bribing or distracting your child to “get them to eat” might work in the short term, but isn’t likely to develop healthy eating habits in the long term; and it certainly won’t make for peaceful mealtimes! 

Turn off the TV, DVD or iPad at mealtimes. Sure, they might eat a bit in front of the screen, but it is a good idea that they are aware of what and how much they are eating, rather than being fed food while distracted.

Here are some tips for struggling with picky eaters:

1. Prepare and offer whatever it is that you need to eat.
2. Young picky eaters adjust to their family's nourishment, as opposed to you adjusting to what you figure they may eat. 
3. Have at any rate one nourishment you realize your kid will eat, on the off chance that they are ravenous.
4. Have at least one food you know your child will eat, if they are hungry. Your child needs to fill up at mealtimes rather than be punished for not eating. So make sure there is a food on offer that your child will willingly eat (e.g. bread, plain pasta, plain rice).