Most mothers worry whether their children are eating enough and especially if the quality of your diet is good enough to ensure healthy growth and development. So when at home there is a small “picky” which seems to refuse to eat all the healthy foods that are offered table can become a real battlefield.
First of all, it is desirable that mothers are informed about normal eating behaviors of children. It is normal, for example, preschoolers show less appetite during their first year of life, as its growth rate slows. On the other hand, it is normal for toddlers wary of unfamiliar foods and they are difficult to prove. Besides seeking autonomy of age can relate to their behavior to mealtime. But in most cases these problems do not pose risks to the growth and development of children.
Here are some tips to facilitate these difficult times:
- Let it be your little decide when is satisfied and do not force him to clean the plate.
- Try to be consistent with the times you offer kids meals and snacks.
- Offers a variety of healthy foods suitable for age. Give preference to food in its natural form.
- Remember that children may need to be exposed to a new food up to 10 times (maybe more) before you decide to accept it.
- Do not use food as a reward or punishment.
- Maintain a friendly and relaxed at mealtime environment.
- Make mealtime fun for children. Encourage them to admire the different colors, shapes and textures of food. Ask them to put them funny names or forming figures with them.
- Cut fruits and vegetables in different and fun ways, decorate dishes with bold designS, etc.
- Use enjoyable and safe utensils. Accept that sometimes children eat only accept certain types of food if you are presented with particular utensil. For example, only take milk if it is served in your favorite blue glass.
- Limit drinks before dinner. It offers first solid foods.
- Invite the child to participate in the selection of healthy foods in the supermarket, but setting some limits. For example, would you rather question this time buy oranges or apples? Then ask Him to help you select them.
- Encourages youngsters to participate in the preparation of food. For example, let him help wash fruits and vegetables, to prepare simple dishes or set the table.
- Set the example. If you carry a varied and healthy diet is more likely that your children do too.
- Be creative and mix the foods you like to eat with your little that you know you eat with pleasure. For example, add pieces of fruit to cereal or vegetables to the pasta.
- Adopt a routine before meals to allow children to go preparing minutes before sitting down at the table. If you try to seat right at the climax of his favorite game is unlikely to feel ready to eat.
- Do not offer an alternative dish for little when you reject the first to be offered. This will only reinforce their “picky” behavior. If he refuses to eat accepts his decision without giving alternatives.
- Keep track of the growth of your children and if you have doubts about your inquiry pace with a health professional.