|
Healthy Eating |
| |
|
Between
the age of 1 year old and 6 years old, your
child begins to assert his or her independence.
This often evident in the way your child
eats. He may develop food jags (only eating
one type of food) or refuse to eat anything
that touches each other.
This may be stressful
to you but your child will live through
it. First, it is important to understand
it is not your fault. You are not a failure
as a parent if your child develops these
behaviors. It is just a stage: you and your
child will get through it. Here are some
tips on how to: |
 |
|
|
Be patient. Don't make dinner a stressful time
for your child. This will only result in him or
her becoming more stubborn. |
| |
|
Hide vegetables is certain foods. This is good
when your child refuses to eat vegetables. Put
vegetables in meat loaf, hamburgers, and eggs. |
| |
|
Children prefer plain dishes. Don't serve him
or her any mixed dishes. For example, casseroles. |
| |
|
Make sure your child food is easy to eat. Your
child won't eat it if he or she can't eat it.
Make sure meat and vegetables are tender. |
| |
|
Make dinnertime fun. Give your plain dishes funny
names. Trick him or her into eating it. |
| |
|
Serve at least one food your child likes. This
way you can make sure, he or she eats something. |
| |
|
Don't serve snacks right before dinner. Your child
is more receptive to new food when he or she is
hungry. |
| |
|
Use the One-bite rule. Require your child to take
at least one bite of a new food before he or she
refuses it. |
| |
|
Give positive reinforcement. When he or she types
a new type of food give him or her a sticker or
button. |
| |
|
Don't scold your child. Don't make food the key
issue between you and your child, they will out
grow it. |
| |
|
Be sure to make meal time pleasurable. Don't bring
animosity to the dinner table. Try to introduce
a new food every week. |
| |
|
Be persistent. Keep trying. Eventually curiosity
will encourage your child to try a new food. |
| |
|
Remember it is normal for your child to become
picky. Your child will not starve himself or herself:
eventually he or she will give in. |
| |
