Parents often express concern over the picky eating habits of one (or more) of their children. Moms and Dads worry that limited food choices will cause a deficiency of the important nutrients their children need to grow strong and healthy. Picky eaters come in all shapes and sizes, or rather genders and ages! Lots of preschool aged boys and girls tend to be picky about food choices, but their pickiness can persist well into high school (and beyond).
When it comes to picky eaters, it doesn’t matter if Mom is a master chef and Dad is a foodie, if Junior doesn’t want to eat it, he won’t! So, while it’s quite common to hear about the child who will only eat Chicken Fingers or Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, the foods our children are picky about can vary greatly.
Many variables can come into play:
- Taste, color, texture, or odor
- Other more emotional factors can play a role
- Some in a bit of a power struggle with mom and dad distracted by other interests, or bored with meal times
- Or, on the more serious side of things, some children have sensory disorders which can greatly impact their eating habits
So, how concerned should you be about nutrition?
First and foremost, every child should be under the regular care of a pediatrician, who can help gauge if your child is getting enough nutrients and how well they are growing. Your pediatrician can recommend a multi-vitamin that may offset deficiencies of a limited diet, and help you to understand what foods are most important to work into your child’s diet.
Most picky eaters somehow manage to get what they need out of their diet, but more serious side effects, like dental problems, immunity issues, and obesity, are good reasons that parents should continue to try to expand the palette of their little ones.
Some good strategies include:
- Eating meals as a family. Not only will this allow mom and dad to set a good example for their children, it also provides important family bonding time, and creates a positive atmosphere for trying new things.
- Don’t force it. Offer a variety of foods and encourage your child to make choices about what they are going to eat. Praise your child for “trying” a new food, even if they loudly pronounce that they dislike it afterward. It may take several tries before a child is willing to relent on their feelings about a certain item.
- Don’t allow them to eat in front of the television. This will just serve to distract children from the task at hand, which is meal time.
- Get creative! Turn meals into finger food, which children love to eat. Provide a fun presentation (a smiley face made out of vegetables). Pair new foods with old foods they enjoy and are comfortable with.
Most, importantly, don’t give up!
Not only will helping your child adopt a healthy diet allow them to be healthier individuals throughout their lives, learning to appreciate a variety of foods will also make social interactions involving food easier (and likely more enjoyable). If you are concerned about your child’s diet, you should consult with your child’s pediatrician.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment visit Steward DoctorFinder™ or call 1-800-488-5959.
To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit Steward DoctorFinder™.
