![]() ![]() It’s not common, but some kids are picky eaters because of a health condition. “With my son, I explained how eating broccoli could help him with his goal of being a good soccer player.”Ĥ. “You can discuss the benefits of certain foods,” Lemond says. Instead, let them make their own decisions. The same goes for pressuring or bargaining with them - “you can only have dessert if you clean your plate.” They might end up wanting to avoid that food for life. Resist the urge to order your kid to eat their peas. Finicky define how to#How to handle it: Don’t turn meals into a power struggle. “It’s a natural part of development,” Jacobsen says. Many parents know that one of toddlers’ favorite words is “no!” At mealtimes, pushing away that plate is another way for them to feel in control. Your child wants to assert their independence. “This helps children get enough to eat while building an appetite for meals,” Jacobsen says.ģ. How to handle it: Stick to a regular schedule with three meals and a morning and afternoon snack time. “If children are eating crackers and juice an hour before dinner, they’re not going to be hungry.” ![]() Kids also may not want meals if they get snacks and drinks too often, Jacobsen says. As long as their weight and height are on track at doctor’s visits, don’t worry when picky eating pops up every now and then. “So it could be that your child doesn’t have much of an appetite on a particular day,” says Maryann Jacobsen, RD, a San Diego-based dietitian. After around age 2, kids’ growth slows down. A dip on the side can up your chances of success, too: In one study, kids were three times more likely to eat raw veggies when they came with a favorite dip.Ģ. “If your child likes iceberg salads, add in a few leaves of romaine,” Lemond says. You can also try mixing a new item with a tried-and-true favorite. “Try it as a soup, in a salad, or as a puree.” Research shows that kids may need to get a food on their plates five to 10 times before they eat more of it. Keep serving it in different forms, Lemond suggests. How to handle it: Don’t write broccoli off the menu for good. That may explain why your kid shuns Brussels sprouts or cauliflower. “Because they’re growing so quickly, they naturally want higher-calorie foods.” Plus, 1 in 4 people are born with a gene that makes them more sensitive to bitter tastes. “In general, children are hardwired to like sweeter flavors,” Lemond says. Most will eventually outgrow it, but what’s a parent to do in the meantime? The first step is to understand why kids can be fussy when it comes to food.ġ. Research shows that about 20% of parents say their 2- to 5-year-olds are picky eaters. “After all, they’re experiencing new foods and flavors for the first time.” Sound familiar? “With young children, a certain level of pickiness is normal,” says Angela Lemond, a dietitian in Plano, TX. Today, they refuse to taste a bite of your casserole. Last week, your child pushed away that plate of veggies. ![]()
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