Dinner Time Woes: Advice for Parents of Picky Eaters

Many parents find themselves dreading meal time because they have a picky eater. While most children, especially during their toddler years, will find themselves developing their own personal tastes, other kids take it to a new level by only eating one or two foods leaving parents frustrated and not knowing what to do next. Here are some tips for parents with picky eaters.

1. Set up regular meal times. If you are eating your meals at different times each day, your child may become confused or start snacking. This snacking can lead to them refusing to eat their regular meals and be the beginning of bad eating habits. Try to have each meal at a certain time every day and avoid giving them snacks up to a hour or two before their meals. Chances are, if they are having snacks before meals they are likely not really hungry and less likely to try new things or the foods you are wanting them to eat.

2. Make foods fun. This is an excellent way to get younger picky eaters to eat their meals. Arrange funny faces with their food, serve their vegetables with a healthy dressing or dip. Even doing something as simple as buying them their own special plate to eat off of can encourage them to eat their meal.

3. Give them their own "kids meal". Do a meal similar to the one they would get at a fast food restaurant. Invest in some fun paper lunch bags and arrange their food and put in a small treat. You can do something as simple as a sticker or a little toy. The rule is is that they have to eat all their food before they get the treat.

4. Have them help! Having kids help out during meal time is a great way to get them to eat. Kids young and old alike usually love helping in the kitchen and feel proud of themselves when they get the chance to cook. Encourage their help in the kitchen. Most kids are so curious to see what their finished product tastes like they forget it is a food they would not eat previously. Be sure to be encouraging and let them know what a good job they did and how good it turned out.

5. Lastly, for those picky eaters who continue to not eat, you can always be sneaky. There are a few different cook books that are sold in book stores that teach parents how to disguise fruits and vegetables into foods that most kids love. Some of these recipes involve using a food processor and mixing the puree with sauces or even into batters.

By following these simple steps you can make meal time enjoyable again and avoid dinner time battles!

Sources Cited: My own ideas and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-health/HQ01107/NSECTIONGROUP=2.