Picky Eaters: Ways to Avoid a Food Fight

Do not tell them what they won't like;
you are setting yourself up to be
proven wrong.

Some children will always be good eaters, others will barely eat anything, and there are some who will change from day to day.  Regardless of where your child falls, their appetite will generally taper slightly around ten months, but around one year, they may start to develop a stronger opinion, and be warned, that opinion will change. 

I felt such guilt if my son did not eat a good meal, while simultaneously wanting to dump the wonderfully prepared meal that he had wasted on his head.  I knew better than to enter into a battle with him over food, as it would only make it worse, but I did not feel comfortable with saying, “you have spit your food out three times, and one more time will mean that you are just not hungry,” until my pediatrician shared that by one, children only need one good meal per day.  That does not mean that they only eat once per day, as there are always snacks, so use them wisely, but it does relieve the pressure of three successful meals. 

If you are dealing with a finicky eater, below are some tips for coping and possibly even improving mealtime for you, them, and the entire family:

-Consistently feed them what you want them to eat from the beginning.  Do not feed them tater-tots and ice cream and then expect them to like carrot sticks.  Kids are no different from adults, they will like what they know.

-Do not defeat yourself by assuming that they will not like things, as it may be your opinion limiting their diet, not theirs.  Present food neutrally, without reservation or apprehension, and check your opinion at the door. 

-Do not limit presenting foods to meal time.  If your child is interested in the bell pepper that you bring home from the store, cut it open and offer them some, even if it is right before dinner.  It is amazing what children will enjoy when they feel like it is an adventure or that they are in control of their food. 

-Even if they do not like a food, put the-food-in-question on their plate.  It takes up to fifteen exposures to develop a true opinion of a food, and as children get older and more rooted in their convictions, it may take up to 89 exposures, so introduce foods early and often.

-Let them enjoy the food.  Keep manners in perspective, but if they want to make a sandwich of odd items, mush things, or eat with a straw, let them enjoy the foods, as that positive experience is a part of their perception of that food. 

-Do not make an issue out of eating.  Do not overly reward the good or punish the bad.

-Actions speak louder than words.  If everyone at the table is enjoying their vegetables, your baby will want to try what you are eating. 

For more suggestions on coping with a picky eater, consider this article by Dr. Alan Greene, as posted by Horizon Dairy.  If there are other contributing factors to your child's eating habits (or lack thereof), visit our Troubleshooting page.

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Simple ways to make sure they eat their vegetables.

An easy and colorful vegetarian recipe that the whole family will love.