Emma's Top Tips From A Fussy Eater
1. Respect your child's appetite
If your child isn't hungry, don't force them to eat a meal or snack. Likewise, don't bribe or force your child to eat certain foods or clean his or her plate. This might only reinforce the food fight power struggle. It might also let your children associate mealtimes with anxiety and frustration or become less sensitive to his or her own hunger. Our meals are served in bowls at the table and we choose what we put on our plate. We came up with a magical map of Plenty to help them figure out what portion sizes are recommended.
2. Stick to the routine
Serve meals and snacks at around the same times every day. If you child chooses not to eat a meal, a snack
time will offer an opportunity to eat (healthy) food.
3. Be patient with new foods
Young children often touch or smell new foods, and might even put tiny bits in their mouths and then take them back out again. Your child might need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Encouraging your child by talking about a food's color, shape, aroma and texture helps your child to understand the food better, learning to accept it. Serve new foods along with your child's favorite foods. Keep serving your child healthy choices until they become familiar and preferred.
4. Drinking
You can provide milk or 100 percent juice with the food, but offer water between meals and snacks. Allowing your child to fill up on juice, milk or snacks throughout the day might decrease his or her appetite for meals. Always make sure they are able to have a water bottle with them at all times otherwise they could get infections due to dehydration.
5. Don't give in
Preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal might promote picky eating. Encourage your child to stay at the table for mealtime - even if he or she doesn't eat.
6. Disguise them
Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favourite dip or sauce. Cut foods into various shapes with cookie cutters. Offer breakfast foods for dinner. Serve a variety of brightly coloured foods.
7. Ask for your child's help
When food shopping, ask your child to help you select fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods - this week we tried figs. Buy some things they have never tried but like the look of. Don't buy anything that you don't want your child to eat. At home, encourage your child to help you rinse veggies, stir soup or set the table.
8. Set a good example
If you eat a variety of healthy foods, your child is more likely to follow the example.
9. Minimize distractions
Turn off the television, move away all the toys and other electronic gadgets during meals. This will help your child focus on eating. Keep in mind that television advertising might also encourage your child to desire sugary or less nutritious foods. We've never been allowed a tv in the kitchen. I realise now it was a good idea.
10. Make up your own Super Foods and Treat stories and apply them at the table or buy our book for food fun!
Emma Bright and The Super Food Fight is here to help - a fun adventure story for children aged 5-11 with a healthy message about nutrition, balance and choice. If you've had this fight at the dinner table this FUN, 10 chapter, children's adventure story book will inspire any fussy eater. The Super Food characters encourage children to try a wider choice of foods through education and entertainment.
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