Picky eating, according to many parents, is one of the most annoying things about their kids that they need to deal with. Who knows better than a parent that sticking to a limited number of foods fails to nourish the development of a child? Yes, that is the main concern of every parent – nobody wants their child to be very lean, underweight, fall sick very often or face health problems due to a lack of nutritional value or poor development.
That’s why parents want their kids to try different foods, stay healthy and develop as they age.
We are Hope AMC, a prestigious pediatric rehabilitation center in Dubai. Our team is working tirelessly to make parents aware of the different types of neurological, physical, and mental disorders that children often deal with. We have board-certified therapists and doctors who specialize in offering therapeutic treatments tailored to the unique needs of a child. Feeding therapy is among the therapies that work wonders for picky eaters.
Here are 5 tips(suggested by our therapists) for parents to deal with their children with picky eating habits –
Don’t overfed
See, whether you have a toddler or a young child, they have a much smaller stomach compared to you. So, it’s quite natural they won’t be able to eat more. Sometimes, parents have a misconception that the more the child eats, the healthier they get. Time to debunk this misconception. Don’t force your child. You need to provide your kid with an age-appropriate amount of nutritious food. Try serving the food on a bowl of plat which has their favorite cartoon or superhero characters imprinted on them.
Listen to them
Don’t make the mealtimes more annoying at least from your side. Children and unfinished food – a very very common thing. Plus, they only stick to their favorite foods. If your kid refuses to eat something or hardly takes a bite of that food, that’s fine. Don’t pressurize them. And, don’t get tempted to think that, “ oh my little kid, he is not eating that much… but I can offer him a burger, pizza and he will be full”. Instead, learn to listen to their bodies and understand them. Sometimes, sensitivity disorders make a child avoid food with a certain smell, color or texture. Sometimes, they may have feeding or swallowing issues that parents are not aware of. So, you need to observe your little picky eater closely and take advice from experts for the meal plan.
Ace combination game
Combine new foods with the foods your child already enjoys. For example, if your child enjoys pasta, mix a small piece of a new vegetable like carrots or peas. This helps your child try new types of food without more fuss. You can pair a new fruit with a favorite yogurt, or blend it into a smoothie. Make mealtimes more exciting for your kid. Let them explore a variety of textures and flavors without feeling pressured.
Team up
Arouse curiosity and excitement about foods in your kid’s mind. Involve them in preparing meals. Let them put the spinach into the pan, and put the orange into the blender. Take your child to the market with you and give them options to choose from different fruits, vegetables, etc. Go to restaurants and order foods, ask your kids to taste and give feedback. Make them aware of the look, smell, feel and taste of different food items. Options are many – you need to be active and be patient.
Observe your own eating habits
Children copy the parents and adults they live with. If you are the one who mostly sticks to junk food and you expect your kid to have green veggies and fruits, that’s not gonna work. You must eat the same food you expect your child to have.
Sit down with your little one and eat healthy foods, talk about the foods, from which shop you bought them or the ingredients you put to make the dish. Setting an example helps kids get motivated and try the food their parents are up to.
Bottom Line
First, it is advised to consult a certified feeding therapist who can figure out the root cause behind the picky eating habit and devise a healthy and easy diet plan for your kid.
Visit our official site to know more! Or, book a call to talk to our therapist today!
