Healthy eating tips for kids: Dealing with finicky eaters
Mealtime can be fun and enjoyable with your little ones. Here are some tips for dealing with picky little eaters:
• A child’s mouth is more sensitive than an adult’s so food should be warm or cool, (not hot or cold);
• Flavors should be mild, not spicy as a child has more taste buds than an adult
• Serve smaller portions to avoid waste and give your child a sense of accomplishment when he or she finishes her meal. Don’t encourage overeating or fussy eaters by forcing a child to eat everything on the plate if they don’t do it on their own.
• To introduce a new food, try serving it with a favorite food.
• If your child appears to have lost interest in the meal, or to dawdle, give him/her a reasonable time to eat (20-30 minutes) then quietly but firmly remove the food. Most children will eat when they are hungry. Do not force the issue.
• Likes and dislikes may appear suddenly. Be casual about these new food preferences. If no one pays special attention to these quirks, they will soon be forgotten.
• If your child prefers to eat with their fingers try giving them small sandwiches, raw veggies, meat cut into bite sizes, fruits and cheese cut into small pieces, and crackers spread with peanut butter, humus, yogurt or cottage cheese.
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