Motherhood is not an easy journey. From pregnancy and delivery to dealing with your growing child, every day is a challenge for the parent which patiently she has to go through. One such example is dealing with a fussy eater.
Read More: Toddler a Balanced Diet
Getting the right nutrition for a fussy child can be a test for every mother and at times even consulting with the best paediatrician can’t help. But don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. It is entirely okay to worry about your child’s health, but the trick is to keep a tap on what your child eats over a period of seven days (a week) rather than persuading him/her to eat a complete meal. As long as your child consumes the food nutrients (carbohydrates fats, vitamins, minerals, and proteins) little by little and has been showing growth you have nothing to worry about.
Being a parent, you can’t keep calm since you want the very best for your child. That is why we have listed down a few tips for you that will help in fuelling the growing bodies of your child with the best food possible. Give it a read
This is the simplest way to deal with your picky eater. Sitting together is not just about connecting and teaching your child the family values but is also very important for his/her nutrition. A study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University concluded that eating together with the family regularly lowers the risk of developing poor eating habits, and weight problems compared to children who eat alone more often.
Adopt a realistic approach by having realistic expectations. Know your child’s appetite and feed them accordingly. Sometimes a kid’s appetite is difficult is to figure out, in such a case start by asking your child to lick a piece of food, and eventually work up to trying a mouthful of it.
Picky eaters eat healthy foods when they're covered in cheese and other yummy stuff and try to avoid vegetables like the plague. Here are few healthy food options for you picky eaters.
Must Read: Nutrition Plan for Your Toddler
Do not indulge your child with snacks between meals. It cuts down their hunger and hence they tend to become pickier over food.
Giving attention to your fussy eater encourages him/her to keep behaving this way. Therefore, ignore it as much as you can. Try to keep calm!
Here are a few suggestions for you:
We all know the importance of nutrition in growing children. Therefore, follow a few given tips to curb the fussiness of your picky eating child!
Read more: About Picky Eaters
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A child can become a fussy eater due to various reasons. Insufficient exposure to a variety of foods and textures, parental influence, and late introduction of solid or lumpy foods are some of the common reasons. Children with developmental delays, ADHD, and sensory sensitivities in different stages of development can also become fussy with food.
A child could be constantly eating due to hunger or just because they have access to it. If your child is unable to finish the food on the plate, rather than forcing them to sit longer and finish it all, let them walk away or serve them smaller portions. Respect their body cues and limits. Set specific meal and snack times and discourage eating at other times. Try engaging them in physical activities that do not allow them to eat.
Picky eating is not a direct symptom of ADHD, but children with this disorder can have sensory sensitivities that make it difficult for them to touch or eat foods of a certain texture. They may eat the same food if presented in a different texture or format. Some children with ADHD can lack impulse control, which can make it difficult to control the urge to eat or reject certain foods.
First, empathise and try to understand the reason for their rejection. Is it the food itself, or the way it is presented, or the texture? If it is the presentation or texture, you can always try alternatives. If it is the food itself, try offering the dish along with a favourite dish of theirs or by combining it with other ingredients.
