The Picky Eater

All children go through a phase of wanting just one thing: a movie or a book he always want to watch or read. 

The same goes for their favorite food. And we all know that healthy eating calls for a variety of food. 

Some parents feel helpless and give in just so the little picky eaters get food in their tummies. 

Picky eaters are made, not born. There is no “picky eater” gene that is passed on from parent to child. In the interest of full disclosure, however, instilling proper eating habits in your children at an early onset is hard work that requires a lot of patience, time, and attempts. 

First things first, though: you have to be a good role model when it comes to food choices and healthy eating, otherwise, it's a double-edged battle. (Plus you don't have to deal with thinking up a reply to “But how come you don't finish your peas, Mommy/Daddy?” when your adorable little one learns to talk and make observations.)

A clean-plate rule can cause children to overeat.

A clean-plate rule can cause children to overeat.

 
Some Things You Can Try

Avoid forcing children to finish what’s on their plate when the portions aren't age-appropriate. Offer them food when it’s time to eat and when they refuse, step away. Help them learn to gauge their hunger.

Children like to feel that they’re in control, so offer them a choice. Give them food options that are both healthy and acceptable to you whichever they pick; let them choose which plate or napkin they want to use. 

An example of a "prettyfied" plate

Plan snacks so that they don't interfere with their appetite at mealtime. Mealtimes should always be a pleasant experience for your child. Refrain from eating in front of the TV and never use food as a reward or punishment.

Children's eating habits form the building blocks of their lifestyle, determine their food choices as grownups, and can reflect how healthy or unhealthy they'll generally be. If you think of it that way, then spending that extra 10 minutes in the kitchen to “prettify” your child's plate becomes a worthwhile investment of time and energy.

 

Pair Up: An Adventure For Your Little One's Palate 

Pretending that the spoon is an airplane and your child’s mouth is a cave will no longer work once your child realizes you're only doing it to make him open his mouth. 

Here's an idea: pairing up your kids’ favorite foods with a new one they have yet to try (and hopefully love, too)! 

• Melt their favorite cheese onto whole wheat bread. 
• Turn their daily dose of NIDO Fortified Milk into a fruit smoothie by mixing in a new fruit flavor they haven’t tried yet. You can never go wrong when you’ve got their favorite milk; so experiment, mix, and serve it every time the kids are game for something new.

It's no small feat, teaching your child to eat healthy, but there are a lot of ways you can boost your children’s appetites. You just have to be a little creative, persistent, and patient.

Source:

http://ww1.nestle.com.ph/wellness/wellnesssite/articles.aspx?id=19