4/19/2023 0 Comments Finicky eating habitsPut foods on an equal level by serving a small dessert – say one cookie – alongside the vegetables and chicken at dinner. Remember – it's just food, and it can all be part of a nutritious eating pattern. Telling a child they can't have dessert unless they finish their vegetables sends the message that some foods are better than others. This can reinforce poor eating habits and lower their self-confidence. Avoid negative comments or labeling your child a "picky eater" while they're listening. Talk about your day, or about a favorite toy or hobby of theirs. Instead, keep the conversation light and fun. When children feel pressure at the table, picky eating ramps up as a way for them to regain control. The best part? It even works for salad and vegetables! Studies show that children are more likely to eat foods that they played a role in choosing or making. Find a recipe your child likes and cook together. Bring your kids to the grocery store and let them choose a new fruit to try. Even though parents are the ones buying and serving the food, children can be part of the process. Your kids will learn to do the same by example. Eat when you feel hungry and stop eating before you feel too full. Instead of dictating your child's intake, focus on your own hunger cues. However, this practice can interfere with a child's natural fullness cues, and may lead to overeating and weight gain. Parents who encourage children to "finish every bite" often mean well and want their kids to be well-nourished. Bonus: Studies show that family meals are associated with better grades, higher self-esteem, and less of a chance of smoking, drinking alcohol, or developing an eating disorder in adolescence. The example you set by enjoying many different foods together is a good way to help your child learn to eat well. Studies show that children eat a wider variety of foods and are less likely to be fussy eaters if they dine with their families often. If your child tries a new food and doesn't like it, rather than throwing a tantrum they can simply say "I don't like this yet" and place it on the tasting plate. Add a saucer-sized sample plate next to your child's main meal plate. This may help your child keep an open mind. Introduce your child to the phrase "I don't like it yet" (key word "yet"), which they can say if they don't think they'll like something at first. You may have to serve a new food 10 times or more before your child is ready to try it. For example, if your child loves grilled cheese and strawberries, serve those fan favorites with a new fruit or veggie. Instead of introducing a whole new meal (which can be overwhelming for a child), try adding one new food alongside familiar ones.
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