How To Deal With Picky Eaters
| Health And Fitness : Top Health Tips Eating Problems Doc Says: Your kids have figured out a way to drive you crazy. They eat only one kind of canned spaghetti for lunch, refuse supper, and whine for snacks up until bed time. This is where they start to control their parents. Mom and Dad worry that their slender picky eaters, aren?t getting enough nourishment. So they resort to threatening, bribing, or catering to them, to try to get all to eat. Once eating problems develop they take time and patience to deal with. These tips will help you get over the hurdles : Access Your Expectations. If you child eats small portions, don?t worry. He?s eating something. Some children don?t need large amounts. Children vary a lot from day to day. Their ravenous one day, and picky the next. Serve Small Portions. Put less food on a child?s plate, then you think he will eat. The large piles are scarry to a child. They turn off their appetite. The appropriate portion size for kids is surprisingly small. You can always serve seconds if wanted. Snacks Are Fine ? Keep Them Small. Your child may be turning up his nose, due to a stomach full of chips, he had after school. I didn?t say to deprive him of his snacks. But you must keep them small , if you expect him to eat a full dinner. Limit Those Drinks. Many parents under estimate, just how filling juice and milk can be. I recommend 6 oz of juice per day, and 16 oz of milk. The fats and sugars in these fluids, can curb the appetite just enough, to keep your child active and happy. But he will not be getting a balanced meal. Soda is worse. It will fill him up with absolutely no essential nutrients. Consider Smaller Meals. Some busy, active children function better, on smaller meals throughout the day. Toddlers in particular may need small nutritious meals every two three hours apart. No mom you do not have to prepare meals on demand. Just keep a supply of healthy snacks on hand. Give your child some cheese, and fruit. Or some graham crackers and aglass of milk. Then don?t expect him to eat a big meal at dinner. Plan Ahead. Children who have to wait too long between meals get cranky, and hungry. Cranky kids do not eat well. Mom if dad has to work late, then you could furnish a nourishing mini meal earlier, or cook dinner ahead of time, so you can serve it earlier. Involve the children. Decide together what you are going to fix. Give your children some nutritious choices to pick from. Children who are given food choices, are more likely to eat better. Let Your Child Feed Herself. When you see your child pushing, her food around on her plate. It?s temping to pick up a spoon and feed her. DO NOT DO IT. When your child is old enough to feed herself ( 15 ? 16 mos) never pick it up again for her. If your child is hungry she will feed herself. Refrain From Forcing. Too many pushy parents. Back off. The worse thing you can do, is force your child to eat. This frustrates you, makes a child resentful, and creates a power struggle. No one wins. The amount a child chooses to eat, is governed by the appetite center in the brain. If you try to control this center, you will have a battle on your hands. Keep Mealtimes Pleasant. Stop making mealtimes, for criticisms and arguments. Stop concentrating on what your child does or doesn?t eat. Stop forcing your child to stay at the table, after every one has left. This only develops unpleasant associations with mealtimes. Do draw your children into your conversations. Insist On Politeness. Let your child know that he is expected, to be at the table on time, sit with the family, and refrain from making faces and rude comments. Never Nag Or Praise. Keep eating, don?t fuss with your problem eater, for not finishing her food. Or praising when she does. You want your child to eat to satisfy her appetite, not please you. NEVER DISCUSS HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE YOUR CHILD EATS IN HER PRESENCE. Don?t Cook On Demand. Never get up and make a special meal for a picky eater. Serve a well balanced meal. Let your child eat what she wants, from what has been served. Eliminate Gag Foods. Some children have a natural aversion, to foods that they associate with being sick. If a child happens to become ill after a certain food, that food may turn his stomach. Do not force him to eat it. Avoid serving these foods. Avoid Dessert Dilemma. This is a classic catch 22. Every one digs into a luscious chocolate cake. The non eater is allowed none. STOP IT NOW. You?re reinforcing the idea that ?good? food is a reward for eating the ?bad.? food. If you give cake to the problem eater, you?re letting her fill up with empty calories. Your best bet is to serve nutritious desserts that are considered part of the meal. Such as fruit, gelatin with fruit, and yogurt, Ease Your Mind With Vitamins. Talk to your child?s doctor if you?re worried about his eating habits. Ask the pediatrician if he can recommend a vitamin and mineral supplement. He may tell you it isn?t necessary. But it will put your mind to ease.
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