Previously, we posted about why children go through a fussy eater stage. Our nutritionist Theresa tells us what parents should do if they have a fussy eater.
These are her Fussy Eaters Top Tips for parents, and in her workshop, she covers these (and so much more!) in lots of detail.
- Give the “control” back to your child at mealtimes. You decide what to offer them to eat and what time that is. They decide what to eat and how much they eat if anything.
- Keep at least 2 hours between snacks and mealtimes. Don’t let children “graze” on food during the day as they need to feel hungry at mealtimes.
- Keep introducing new and unfamiliar foods but these can be alongside foods that they like.
- Reward them with stickers, or simply just praise if they lick or try a new food. Children love praise and attention.
- Start with small portions and offer more if eaten.
- Never ask children to “finish” the plate of food.
- Don’t cajole them to have “one more mouthful”.
- Don’t label them “fussy” in front of them or other people.
- Don’t talk about the food in front of them, talk about anything else!
- Be firm with ensuring that they know words such as “yuck, disgusting, horrible” etc are not used in the house.
- If they don’t eat what is in front of them, the standard response is “that’s fine, but that is all you are having for this meal”.
- Don’t offer alternatives to that meal. It is up to them if they eat it.
- ·Use tech, books, tv to encourage them to learn about food away from the dining table. Help them to understand where food comes from.
- Cook with them.
- Keep the diet as savoury as possible.
- ·Keep in control of the shopping and limit the “treat” foods that are available in the house. If they aren’t there, they can’t ask for them.
- Be a great role-model. Eat with them, show them that you enjoy the food.
- Repeated exposure of foods is key. Children take up to 15-20 times before they actually don’t like a food so make sure you always expose them to the foods you want them to eat on a regular basis.
