Making peace with fussy eaters

When children are fussy about their food, it’s even more important that parents make every bite count by offering high-value, nutrient-rich foods. If you, like most parents, find that you are living with a fussy eater, try these tips for more peaceful meal times:

• Establish a mealtime routine, with a set time and place for eating. Try to make dinner time early for young children, as tired children are a recipe for disaster.
• Be patient. Expect and encourage, children to play with their food, this is part of the learning process. At the same time you can start to teach table manners so that by the age of five children are practicing basic table manners most of the time.
• Remain calm when children misbehave. Food thrown on the floor should not be picked up when they are watching. A firm ‘no’ is the best response. When older children misbehave, give them a warning followed by a clear consequence, such as removing food, or asking them to leave the table.
• Listen to your child and don’t force a child to eat more if they tell you they have had enough.
• Vary the food on offer by combining new flavours with foods you know they enjoy and taking advantage of them being hungry to offer new tastes - even from your own plate (other people’s food often tastes better).
• Get your kids involved. Children will often be more enthusiastic about foods they have helped prepare.
• Consult your doctor or a dietitian if you’re constantly forcing your child to eat and they seem to be lacking in energy.

For more information on children's eating behaviours, a list of common nutrient rich foods, kid friendly recipes and a guide to children's portion sizes, download a copy of the Kids and Nutrition Report here.

Also read more on:

• Healthy kids
• Iron and babies