Tips To Raise Picky Eaters
Have mealtimes become stressful? Does your child throw temper tantrums? You are not alone. These are problems faced by every parent. Children are at a delicate age where in their food habits are being formed. They tend to become picky and fussy about their food. Here are a few tips and rules to make ‘feeding your kid’ a fun and happy time.
Like Parent , like child:
Children idolize their parents. If parents want their kids to develop healthy food habits, they themselves need to inculcate the same.
Involve children:
How about asking your child to help you with grocery shopping, cooking and setting the table? Allow them to decide the grocery shopping list and pick their vegetables.
Avoid unnecessary / timepass munching:
Snacking just before meal times reduces your child’s appetite and he will eat less during the meal. Let there be discipline in the child’s meal times.
Do not be a short-order cook:
If the child throws temper tantrums and refuses to eat what is served on his plate, do not cook separately and serve him what he wants. React as little as possible to food rejection. Instead change the atmosphere by singing some jingles or rhymes or asking your child about school happenings. Do not bribe/reward him with fancy foods. Avoid the pity syndrome. The child will eventually feel hungry and eat what was served initially.
Do not force the child to eat a particular food:
If he does not like a food, he does not like it. Nobody eats what they do not like. So, it’s okay. The parent need not panic. A food needs to be introduced atleast 10 times before a child learns to accept it. Be patient and try again. Instead of saying ‘Finish what is served’ , the parent can say ‘Can you please try just two more bites ?’
Spare the refrigerator:
It cannot handle an overload of ice creams and chocolates.
Avoid watching TV while eating:
The TV can be shifted to the bedroom or any other place, but not near the dining table. This reduces chances of watching TV while eating.
Go for Junk and Fat Free TV:
The cartoon or TV series that your child watches would be a source of entertainment for him. But, the advertisements of fancy foods in between might be a stimulus to eat fat and sugar loaded foods. There are no advertisements of carrots and broccoli, hence child craves for the fancy foods he watches on TV. Try and pre-record his TV shows such that the advertisements are omitted.
Modify the junk and treat your kids:
Make paneer, rajmah, chickpea ,soy or oats your favourite pick for burger tikkis. If your child is bored with roti sabzi , convert it into paratha , roll or just innovate with the Indian pizza. Either boiled and mashed or chopped and grated , stuff the vegetables in sandwiches , rolls, chillas , soups or simply pastas.
Follow My Plate rule:
‘My Plate’ picture ( above) depicts a plate divided into parts that resemble the different food groups which need to be included in the meal. It signifies the importance of food variety in a meal. If possible, buy such plates for your child and ask him to identify the food groups. A table mat of the same design can also be used. Always try and eat a ‘Rainbow coloured thali’.
