"Mommy. What is this?", your son questions as he pushes the food around on his plate.
"Mom. This stuff is yucky!", your daughter proclaims, yet you know she has not even tried it.
The battle over the food plates of the world continues, generation after generation, parents against picky eaters. Are you irritated when your son constantly picks things out of his plate like they were the most disgusting things he had ever seen on earth? Vegetables are usually the unfortunate targets. However, picky eaters are definitely not picky about the battles they fight.
What could be some of the reasons behind such fussiness?
- It is normal for young children to be wary of unfamiliar foods. Many adults are the same way. Your child may not be the adventurous kind when it comes to tasting new foods. But that doesn't mean you should stop offering that food. It may take several attempts, even 10-15 tries before she agrees to give it a try.
- Consider your own eating preferences, or that of your spouse. Children are quick to observe what their parents eat or don't eat. Be careful about making disparaging comments or negative facial expressions when food that you dislike is served.
- Make sure that your child is not full from snacking in between meals? A full stomach will undoubtedly reduce their desire to eat during meal times.
As we consider some solutions to coping with picky eaters, let's consider the reasons why their fussy habit bother us so much.
Are you concerned that your picky eater is losing out on proper nutrition? Some parents have found a way to substitute and sneak foods into their child's diet. For example, to counter a child who dislikes vegetables, chop the vegetables into tiny pieces and mix them with fried rice. How about serving milk shakes or milk jelly to a child that dislikes drinking milk?
Do not be overly concerned about your child eating unbalanced meals if he is growing at a reasonable pace. You can monitor your child's growth by plotting his weight and height on a growth chart. Seek medical and nutritional attention if you notice your child's growth rate is not as it should be.
Are you frustrated that your child rejects the meal that you have so carefully prepared? Do you feel your efforts are unappreciated and take the rejection personally?
Heed this advice given by Dr. Poh from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at University Kebangsaan Malaysia. She says, "Parents should try to wean themselves off the notion that they are responsible for how much or whether their children eat a particular type of food." Give your child the opportunity to make that decision herself.
Your responsibility as a parent is to make sure that:
- your child is given age appropriate food
- meal and snack times are set
- table manners are observed
- mealtimes are relaxed and pleasant
Do not force or bribe your child to eat food he doesn't want. Not only does that tactic not help, but it may also make matters worse. Your child will end up more stubborn, unwilling to try new foods, and still have an undying hatred towards that particular food. It is also wise for parents to hold their sharp tongues and not make a big fuss over their child's picky habit.
Another trick is to have your child help in preparing the food. They are more likely to consume foods they help prepare, even if it's food they don't like.
Picky eaters can really stress you out. To reduce this stress, accept that there is a reason for your child's fussiness. Also, put the decision of how much or whether to eat a particular food in their hands. Do what you can to provide proper nutrition without being overbearing. If you really think it is hurting their growth, seek medical and nutritional attention.
