Growing up, I remember being a fussy eater but what I did eat was healthy, so my folks were not too worried. My brother however was fussy and unhealthy – so there was a bit more concern. He practically lived on sandwiches and very seldom would a vegetable pass over his lips. When he did eat real food he was very much a meat and potatoes kind of guy. But I really do not recall my folks getting overly concerned about it at the time.
Concern over what children eat
These days it seems that there is a high concern over what children will and will not eat. And in reality it is a much easier time than it was in the past because of all the nutritionally packed supplemental drinks out there on the market today. What we must all remember is that children go through phases and that not much of what they will eat or will not eat will follow them into adulthood. That is if we continue to keep offering it to them over the course of time.
Taste buds change over time
I am not a nutritionist, I do not know the medical reasons, but for some reason our taste buds do change over time. If though, as parents, we stop offering foods to our children because they do not like them we are ensuring that they keep these habits going throughout life. They will not even know what they are missing if they do not keep sampling the same foods off and on over their lifetime.
It all comes down to presentation
Presentation is a big thing as well, for example, if they do not like peas alone then try putting them into something they do like.
For example, my brother still does not favor vegetables but if you make him homemade fried rice you can freely throw in the peas and he will eat it. He loves it in fact.
Macaroni and cheese is another great meal that most kids like that can easily disguise a veggie. If you chop up broccoli small enough and put it in macaroni and cheese, it is generally well received. How about meatloaf? My brother loved meatloaf and you could easily get away with adding some green beans and he would still gobble it up.
Just one bite will do the trick
It is important not to freak out when your kids will not eat everything. It seems like, especially as they get to the toddler stage, that if they find out it concerns you, theie eating habits can worsen.
Find the things they like and add to them and make sure you keep offering them the things they do not like. Just one bite here and there will do the trick. One day you will be surprised when they tell you that they want some more of the once hated food item.
Supplement with nutritional drinks
Now, granted there are children who you may need to seek professional advice regarding their eating habits. But, like I mentioned above there are so many nutritional drinks that you can buy. You can also try making milk shakes or smoothies and add in some of the vitamins and minerals you believe your child is missing. Not too many children will pass up an ice cream treat or fruit smoothie. There are countless recipes online for these types of drinks so it is more than probable that you will find one your child likes.
Don’t limit food to the things you like
If you as the parent are a picky eater you need to not limit your children to the things that you like. You need to try and open up the world of food to your children and let them decide over time.
So often I see parents that only eat a certain way and as a result, raise their children on only the foods that they eat. So, if the child does not like these certain types of foods they begin to have problems with eating habits. This is when it is time to branch out and try some new things. Try looking up some new recipes and prepare things differently to get your picky eaters to eat outside of the norm.
Eat out to try new flavours
Another great thing to try, is going to new places to eat out with your child. As you both experience the flavors together for the first time you can share in what you like or dislike and your child will be more likely to try it because you are trying it too.
Use wisdom, of course, and make sure it is not too spicy for a child, but having fun trying new foods together can broaden both of your tastes and set a good example for your child’s eating habits in the future.
Try gardening
To get children to eat more fruits and veggies, why not try gardening? Many children are happy to eat things that they worked hard to grow. Start with easy things like beans, tomatoes and melons and work from there. Your child not only gets a great hobby but can also learn a lot and eat a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables.
Cook together
Last, cooking together can make your child more likely to eat foods they would not normally try. When a child has worked hard with you to create a meal they are willing to eat it too. Try having your child add their favorite ingredients to a salad or have them look up a recipe for a side dish they might like to try. When you give kids a choice they are more likely to choose to eat what they have picked out.
Choice is important
Giving kids choice when it comes to eating is important, even if they constantly reject them. By allowing them opportunities to taste foods over and over again, prepared different ways or mixed with different flavors, you help them to broaden their palates and keep their tastes open to new experiences.
About the Author: Rachael Cherry is a wife, mother, and writer who is passionate about helping connect families in need with high quality caregivers. She has taken that passion and put it to work through NannyPro, a respected online nanny referral service. Learn more by visiting @NannyPro on Twitter.
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