Generally speaking, I am not a dog person. However, I find myself contemplating a dog almost every mealtime now just so I don’t have to clean the spilled milk, sticky rice or rejected veggies my little ones have tossed on the floor.
I have also contemplated ear plugs. Sometimes my husband and I look at each other, shrug and wonder, “Is there something wrong with our children?” But alas, the following behaviours are considered normal for toddler and preschool-aged children:
• Eating very little one day and eating a lot the next day
• Refusing to eat vegetables or meat
• Wanting favourite snack foods all the time
• Poor table manners (shrieking, throwing or playing with food, not wanting to sit down for more than five minutes…etc)
If your child is picky to the extent that he or she is not growing or gaining weight, or if you believe there may be a food sensitivity or allergy, you may need to see a qualified professional.
So how can we set ourselves up for the most positive mealtime experience possible (besides sending the kids to grandma’s house)?
• Serve at least one well-liked food at each meal, even if it is just bread or rice. This ensures your child will be full even if they are not ready to try other new foods. This also provides reason to say no to the inevitably requested “other” foods. “We are not eating popcorn right now. If you are still hungry, you can eat more rice.”
• Avoid trying to control how much your children eat. This means avoiding bribing, coaxing, punishing or other forms of pressure to eat food. Keep mealtimes relaxed and role model healthy eating. Your child will try a new food when they are ready. Your job is to keep offering it.
• With this age group, visual appearance of food is very important. Finger foods or foods that can be served separately are usually more accepted.
• “Hunger is the best sauce.” Picky eating is often lack of hunger. Avoid giving snacks within two hours of a meal.
• Remember your child will learn to eat normally, just like they learned how to walk and talk. They just need practice and positive role modelling.
