Getting Picky Eaters to Eat

Many parents struggle with getting their little ones to eat healthy foods. There are some tips and strategies you can use to encourage your children to eat a variety of foods and to ensure they are getting good nutrition. Remember your primary responsibility as a parent is to determine what, when, and where your child eats. Your children are responsible for how much and whether or not to eat.

As a parent you should provide the following:

 An inventory of healthy foods
 Presenting meals to your child
 Insisting that children show up for meals
 Making mealtimes pleasant
 Teaching children good table manners
 Setting the timing for meals and snacks

How Do I Get My Child to Try New Foods?

 Set a good example
 Offer one new food at a time
 Be realistic about serving sizes
 Don’t worry if he won’t try it. Offer it again another time.
 Make it fun by including your child in meal preparation

What Do I Do If My Child Won’t Eat at All?

 Keep meal times within reasonable time-frame (20 minutes), then take the food away
 Limit milk, juice, and other sweet drinks between meals
 The next meal or snack is around the corner
 He/she will make up for it at the next meal
 Kids are more in tune with hunger and satiety signals than adults

Remember to Involve your children in grocery shopping and meal preparation - kids are more likely to eat what they have invested their time in creating!