How To Handle A Picky Eater

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Kids have a lot of eating challenges, and usually, it is very difficult for parents to know how to navigate the behaviors involved. It can also be concerning if your kid is not gaining weight because of his or her selective habits. If this is becoming a concern, do not worry. You can take steps at home and with the help of your care provider or a registered dietitian, you can combat the issue. 

Study shows that it usually takes up to 10 or more exposures in order to develop a taste for new food. A lot of people think that this relates to vegetables and fruits, but kids can be selective about any type of foods or whole food groups. So how do you recommend encouraging kids to try something 10 times?

Set meal and snack times

Establishing a fixed schedule for meals and snacks can help address the behavior change for kids. Young kids are smart, if they skip dinner and ask for a snack after an hour and they are given time and time again, they will likely continue with this pattern. The goal is to establish the expectations that meals and snacks happen at a certain time, and that is when the food is given. This can allow kids to be hungry when it is time to eat. Family meals are also very important, so be sure to incorporate family meals when possible. 

Avoid short order cooking

Despite how good your meals are, your home is not a five-star restaurant that offers multiple courses. That means that there is no reason to cook more than one meal for your entire family. Give a variety of foods on the plate, and allow the kids to make a decision about what should be served. It is okay to cook foods that you know your kids like, but they should not have the final say on all of the components of the family meal. 

Expose kids to new foods in different ways

If your kid does not like a food one way, he or she may like it if it is cooked in a different way. If your kid dislikes steamed broccoli, you can try giving them crunchy and roasted broccoli that is seasoned with spices and olive oil. It is also best to rotate the kinds of food given to help avoid food jags and monotony, this can help avoid your child being stuck with one food item every meal. You can also place their meal in a colorful tray, like Fred DINNER WINNER Kids' Dinner Tray, to hype up mealtime.

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Understand the reason behind being a picky eater

You can research online or you can read the book "Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating". This book offers hope, even if your kid has failed feeding therapies before. After getting a foundation of understanding of your child's challenges and the dynamics at play, you will be ready for the steps that can help transform feeding and meals so your child can learn to enjoy different kinds of food in the right amounts for healthy growth.  

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ALSO READ: Picky Eating Vs. Selective Eating Disorder: Why Some Kids Become Food-Selective