Tempting Fussy Eaters
If meal times have become a bit of a circus in your house, rest assured you are not alone. Most children go through fads of fussy eating and in fact it is considered a normal stage of development among pre-school children according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
The important thing is to remain calm yourself, as children play up to your reactions, and to do your best to get the greatest variety of nutrients in their diets through what they will eat.
Here are our top tips for avoiding mealtime meltdown:
- Restrict meal times to a maximum of half an hour
- Don't offer snacks in between meals
- Build on the foods they do like - e.g. if they like milk, try blending in a little bit of fruit to make a milkshake, or if it's bread they like try to expand their repertoire by offering all types of bread or getting them to dip soldiers into a boiled egg or houmous.
- Encourage children to help you with the shopping and cooking where possible. If they 'chose' a special vegetable they might have more interest in it when you get home
- Don't criticise them for not eating, but praise them when they do. A big clap or a sticker on a star chart can work wonders
- Have them eat with a friend who is a good eater and praise the other child for eating so well (but remember not to criticise your child in front of them)
- Put the food in front of them then walk away and observe from a distance - without an audience to play up to some children will give in to their hunger/curiosity
- Try serving vegetables in different ways - some children will eat them raw but not cooked, some like the broccoli stem but not the floret etc.
- Don't overwhelm your child with too much food. You could try serving different bits and pieces in an ice cube tray or pretend you're having a picnic
- Don't bribe them with the promise of treats later on
- Don't buy snacks or biscuits - if they aren't in the house they can't be tempted
- Finally try, try and try again. A child can be offered a food on twenty different occasions before they'll even try it, but if you don't keep trying, you'll never know
It can be incredibly frustrating, particularly if you have spent time preparing the meals, but remember, you are not alone and that this is likely to only be a phase - children are programmed for survival and will eat in the end. However if you have any concerns do talk to your health visitor, sometimes a vitamin supplement may be recommended in the interim.
Box out on page: 1 in 3 children under five will refuse food or 'selectively eat' (Ref Royal College of Psychiatrists)
