HealthTip: Are You Dealing With Picky Eaters?

Commonly when children reach the age between 9 and 18 months, many display a disinterest in food. This is often seen as a problem by parents, when in fact, it is normal behavior! The child's likes and dislikes may change daily and appetite is often erratic and unpredictable. Parents need to remember that young children rarely starve themselves and pressuring children into eating when they are not interested may cause them to dislike specific foods. Toddlers who are 2 or 3 years old commonly get on parents nerves, will want to show independence, will need support in feeding, but will also need limits. Caregivers should provide a variety of food for the child to pick and choose from. Remember these points when dealing with your picky eaters and maybe your mealtimes will become a little more peaceful:

• It is the caregivers responsibility to control what food is offered,
  as well as when and where, while the child is responsible for whether a food is eaten and how much is eaten
• Children like foods less when they are pressured to eat them
• Parents shouldn't get too involved with the child's eating, they should respect the child's wishes within reasonable limits
• If little attention is paid to fussiness related to food, the behavior generally passes. If an issue is made of it, undesirable battles over food may be prolonged
• Using foods as rewards or comfort is not recommended because this may cause increased preferences for reward foods and decreased preferences for foods children are "required" to eat first (the opposite of what parents want to achieve)
• Involving children in food preparation may make them more willing to finish meals and try new things

Information Source:
UBC FNH 471- Nutrition Across The Lifespan