Do you have a picky eater? Some experts say that just about every child is a picky eater at some time in their life. Most noticeably between age 2-6. A child may be trying to assert their independence, or possibly be trying to get your attention. Either way, it can become a battle at meal time that you may not want to fight! You cannot MAKE your child eat. Trying to can make you and your child and any one else at the table very upset. This can lead to stomach aches and no one will want to eat. Your child will not eat as much as you do, or even as much as a sibling. Everyone is different in the amount of food they eat, and the type of food they like or dislike. Your job as a parent is to make sure that your child has enough food and choices. Not that you are running a restaurant, that is not what I mean. But, if given a choice between two types of vegies, the child will feel “in control” when they pick one and you will feel like a “winner” because you were able to get your child to “eat their vegies”. Some children are picky about the WAY the food is presented, or the texture of the food. Let’s say that your child does not like lasagna – this might be because at this time, your child does not like different food to touch each other. You would be surprised how many children go through this. Children are sensitive to the color of some foods. They may go through a “faze” in which they will not eat anything brown, or anything yellow. Try to work around this. Be sensitive to the child’s needs and budding independence. Your child will eat when he/she is hungry. It is your job to make sure that meal time is pleasant and not a “battle ground”. Sometimes children will be less hungry if they are getting sick. A child’s appetite will change depending on how they are growing also. Are they about to go through a ” spurt”? You may see a pattern developing if you watch for one. The best thing you can do as a parent is to make meal time pleasant. Don’t offer bribes or punishment. The less you make a big deal about it, the less importance it will take on in the child’s mind.

Try serving a very small portion of something new at the table. Do remember to offer new foods as your child’s taste buds develop he/she will want to try different foods.

Also, children are much more likely to try something if they have been involved in preparing it. Find something age appropriate for your child to do during the making of the meal and you will find your child more interested once the food is in front of them. Even if your child is very small, reading a book about certain food could result in the child wanting to try it. (Green Eggs and Ham???!)

It is also possible that your child has a reaction to certain foods. If you think that your child might have food allergies, be sure to have him/her checked by a doctor so that your child is not getting sick from the food he/she is eating.

Most importantly, remain calm and remember, your child will eat when they are hungry. They are not going to starve as long as you are offering food. And, meal time can be a pleasant family time so try to make it that way instead of a constant battle over food. You can relax, your child can relax, and everyone will feel better about meal time.