feeding a fussy eater

	at some point most likely we were all fussy eaters, and it is something that we hopefully out grow.  although it may be frustrating at times, try to keep in mind that your child will come around.  be patient and lead by example.  here are a few ideas we think are worth a shot.

 

make sure your child is hungry - have they been snacking all day? have they had lots of juice or milk throughout the day or too close to meal times? if so they may simply not be hungry. snacking is important to a growing body, but it is important to keep snack times and meal times a good distance from each other. on the same note juice and milk can also leave your child feeling full. let them have a small glass of water if they are thirsty close to meal times.
according to the B.C. ministry for children and families:
more than ½ cup of juice and 2-3 cups of milk a day can leave your child with little room for food

create a routine - as you know kids do really well with routine, carry
this through with meal time as well. serve both meals and snacks at regular times.If your child is often tired or distracted at the dinner table create time for your child to rest and relax before eating, this helps a child settle down and focus on his/her food. a child should be fed 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day

put them to work - put your kids to work in the kitchen! kids love to help and involving them in the preparation of food helps to connect them to what they are eating.  jobs that kids are great at:

	- setting the table
	- mixing and stirring
	- organizing food on the plate for presentation
	- menu planning/ choosing from our menu!
	- picking out produce at the grocery store, farmers market or online
	- peeling and washing
	- planting and tending a veg or herb garden

let them voice their choice - it is helpful to keep healthy food choices available in your fridge and pantry so kids aren’t tempted by sugary snacks.  keep it simple, for example at snack-time let them choose  between two healthy options carrot sticks with dip or a piece of fruit.

patience makes perfect - introducing new foods may take a while, if your child is resisting (which for young kids is a way of showing
independence) don’t start a war, it’s not worth it. keep consistent, at first they may not respond well to the new foods, but stick to your guns and keep offering healthy foods in a positive way and eventually they will come around. sometimes it can take 5-10 times for a kid to try a new food and realize he/she likes it. If they don’t like a food now, don’t worry, just take a break and maybe in 2-3 weeks give it another try.

be creative & crafty - it’s ok to be a little sneaky when it comes to your child’s health. what they don’t know won’t hurt them...right? In a perfect world kids would want to eat healthy food, but we know in this world that is not always true. try different ways of sneaking in healthy substitutes in their favorite foods (most of the time they will never be able to tell). also try introducing more finger foods which are always fun, use dips & fun presentation methods to liven up meal time.
getting crafty with carrots:

	-add vegetables cut in pleasing shapes to soups and stews
	-make vegetable purees which can be added to pasta sauce, dips, soups & stews
	-grate vegetables like beets, carrots, cabbage & cucumber and add them to sandwiches and wraps

monkey see, monkey do... - you are your child’s role model, the foods you love or hate may also be reflected in their taste buds. if you want your child to eat healthy foods it is imperative that you are also doing the same. eat with your child and talk about why you are eating healthy foods, how they work in your body and make it feel. demonstrate a positive attitude towards healthy food.  look closely at your own relationship with food, is it a positive one?

additional suggestions to munch on:

	- serve your kids small portions on small plates, let them ask for more if they are still hungry
	- serve new foods along with old favorites, so the whole meal isn’t foreign
	- make a day once a week where the family tries a new food together! let the kids decide what that food will be, let them choose from categories you select like: fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetable or grain
	- don’t rush them, kids take longer to eat then adults, in fact it’s a healthy habit we could all stand to benefit from
	- don’t become a “short order cook” catering to dislikes will not help your child with accepting new foods
	- turn off the T.V, make meal time a quiet and happy family experience

if you have any ideas to add or comments on this topic or any
others please send them to: tara@mealsformums.com

i do not like them in a box

i do not like them with a fox

i do not like them in a boat

i do not like them with a goat

i do not like them here or there

i do not like them anywhere

i do not like green eggs & ham

i do not like them, Sam-I-am.

- green eggs and ham, dr. suess

 

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