Beige, beige with a side of beige: Tips for dealing with a picky eater.
We've all been there – beige, beige, beige with a side of beige! The battleground of mealtime with a picky eater can feel intense and so deflating. If you're nodding your head in agreement, you're not alone!
Picky eating is a common phase that so many children go through, and while it can be frustrating, there are ways to turn mealtime from a struggle into a success. Here we give you some practical tips to hopefully get you through the next few meals without wanting to head to a drive through MacDonald’s.
Understanding Picky Eating: Picky eating is a phase where children express strong preferences for certain foods and may refuse others. It's essential to remember that this behaviour is often a normal part of a child's development. Taste buds, textures, and flavours are new and evolving experiences for them, and pickiness can be a way for them to assert independence.
Tips to Navigate Picky Eating:
1. Be Patient and Persistent: Patience is key when dealing with picky eaters. It may take several exposures to a new food before a child decides to try it. Keep offering a variety of nutritious options and avoid pressuring them. The moment they get a whiff of pressure it usually intensifies the pickiness. Persistence pays off!
2. Involve Them in the Process: Take your child food shopping and involve them in meal preparation, get them to help you do the shopping list. Children are more likely to try new foods if they have a hand in choosing or cooking them. Make it a fun and educational experience and something to look forward to.
3. Create a Positive Mealtime Environment: Make mealtimes enjoyable by creating a positive atmosphere. Avoid power struggles and focus on light and fun conversations. Consider making the dining area a screen-free zone to encourage mindfulness and interaction but trust us when we tell you we have had more success with the screen on in the background, it can serve as a distraction from the food and before you know it, they are on auto pilot and eating away.
4. Offer Variety in Texture and Colour: Children are often drawn to visually appealing and varied textures. Incorporate a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, crunchy and soft textures, and different shapes to make the meal more interesting. You can even try making shapes and faces with the foods to get them talking about what is on the plate.
5. Model Healthy Eating Habits: Children learn by example, so be a role model for healthy eating. Show enthusiasm for trying new foods and let them see you enjoy a variety of nutritious options. Try and eat when they eat, this can be a pain timing wise but is so worth it.
6. Get Creative with Presentation: Transform ordinary meals into exciting creations. Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, arrange veggies in fun patterns, or create a colourful plate with a mix of fruits. Sometimes, a creative presentation can make a world of difference. It’s amazing how many ‘Star’ ham sandwiches have been eaten in our household!
7. Establish a Routine: Children thrive on routine, so establish regular meal and snack times. This helps create a sense of security and predictability, making them more open to trying new foods.
8. Celebrate Small Victories: Recognise and celebrate small victories. If your child tries a new food or eats a well-rounded meal, praise their efforts. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in building a healthy relationship with food.
Remember, picky eating is usually a passing phase, and with patience, creativity, and a positive attitude, you can navigate through it successfully. By making mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free, you'll create an environment that fosters healthy eating habits for your little one. Happy eating!
