Never force feed and set a good example… 10 tips to cope with ‘fussy eaters’ – after boy goes blind
KIDS are becoming more and more fussy when it comes to food - with rows becoming a regular part of mealtimes for families with tricky eaters.
However, fussy eating can have severe consequences with one 17-year-old even going deaf and blind after refusing to eat nothing but chips and crisps.
And following this, experts are now warning parents about the risks of extreme fussy eating and urging them to be more vigilant when it comes to their child's nutrition.
While it might feel like an uphill battle to get kids to eat healthily, there are several straightforward ways to make sure your child is getting the variety they need.
Here we share ten full-proof tips to get fussy eaters to try more food, according to the NHS.
1. Lead by example
The best way for your child to learn to eat and enjoy new foods is to copy you - try to eat with them as often as you can.
If you’re veg phobic or eat the same thing every single night, chances are your children will, too.
Take care to express positive emotions, verbally and non-verbally, around the food you are enjoying together - it will go a long way.
2. Make food fun
Changing how you serve a food may make it more appealing.
We grow up being told not to play with our food, but when what’s on our plate looks inspiring, we are more inclined to eat it.
For example, your child might refuse cooked carrots but enjoy raw grated carrot.
Or maybe try designing a meal with five different colours in it and talk about how the ingredients go together and how you could cook or mix them.
Food writer Ciara Attwell says: "Mealtimes can be a little dull for children so try injecting a bit of fun into them and introduce as much colour as you can in the food and the crockery."
3. Cut out snacks
Don't give your child too many snacks between meals – two healthy snacks a day is plenty.
4. Don't force them
If your child rejects the food, don't force them to eat it - just take the food away without saying anything.
Try to stay calm, even if it's very frustrating and try the food again another time.
Hidden veggies
Food writer Ciara Attwell says you may have to resort to hiding vegetables from children if they point blank refuse to eat them.
Here are some simple dishes which are easy hide veggies in:
- Baked meatballs - filled with sweet potato cut into chunks, chopped tomoatoes, bay leaf and carrots - but the kids will never notice.
- Macaroni cauliflower cheese - this one contains hidden vegetables as an added healthy bonus.
- Shepherd's pie - this classic dish is filled with veg including chopped tomatoes, cauliflower, and courgette.
- Beany enchiladas - vegetarian enchiladas are filled with peppers and they take just a few minutes to make.
- Sweet pepper frittata - vried peppers give a sweet crunch to this healthy dish.
Ciara says: "Most children need to be offered a new food 10 to 15 times before they will accept it and eventually eat it.
"I know this may seem like a very slow method to get them to eat new things but you can start by introducing foods in easy ways."
5. Don't add salt
Give your child the same food as the rest of the family, but remember not to add salt to your child's food.
Check the label of any food product you use to make family meals.
6. Avoid using food as a reward
It's best not to use food as a reward as your child may start to think of sweets as nice and vegetables as nasty.
Instead, reward them with a trip to the park or promise to play a game with them.
7. Involve a role model
Ask an adult that your child likes and looks up to to eat with you.
Sometimes a child will eat for someone else, such as a grandparent, without any fuss.
More on nutrition
Or, if you know any other children of the same age who are good eaters, ask them round for tea - but don't talk too much about how good the other children are.
Ciara says: "Peers can massively influence a child’s outlook on food.
"Again, this is a very normal part of a child growing up and becoming influenced by people and situations outside of their immediate family."
8. Give praise
Give small portions and praise your child for eating, even if they only eat a little.
9. Don't wait too late
Don't leave meals until your child is too hungry or tired to eat.
10. Relax
Picky eating can strike at any stage – weaning, with a toddler or even late teens – so try not to get too stressed about it and don’t blame yourself.
Ciara adds: "Parenting these days seems to come with a lot of guilt and blame but the fact that you are concerned about your child’s eating and motivated to improve it already means that you are doing a fantastic job."
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