How Can I Help My Picky Eater?

Problem Eater Or Picky Eater

You’ve spent the last two hours preparing a delicious meal, if you do say so yourself.  You think that everything smells AMAZING. This gives you the confidence to put just a teensy amount of one of the dishes on your kiddo’s plate.  The next thing you know, there’s creamed spinach in your hair. What did you do wrong this time? Were you expecting too much from your picky eater?  Or maybe you think you actually have a problem eater on your hands.

Problem Eater

There’s quite a distinction between a picky eater and a problem eater.    It’s not unusual for most toddlers and preschoolers to go through phases of picky eating.  However, a problem eater will repeatedly struggle with eating certain foods and trying certain textures.  Problem eaters need more support and intervention. Also, kiddos have to get a professional diagnosis as problem eaters.

Picky Eater

This isn’t to say that you have no reason to worry if your kiddo is just a picky eater.  Picky eaters still add stress to the family. It’s no fun to try to make a nutritious meal if your kiddo rejects it.  Sometimes food goes flying and tears are shed. Meltdowns will happen. At this point you may be wondering, “So how is my kiddo any different from a problem eater?” and rightly so.  The big difference is that you can eventually expand what your picky eater is willing to try by making some changes at home, even without the help of professionals.

I Don’t Want To Eat That

Do you remember when you were a little tyke yourself and your mom first tried to feed you broccoli?  Or kale? Or onions? Or eggs? It’s a safe bet that there were things you didn’t like to eat, and your kiddo’s the same way.  

In fact, a lot of adults are picky eaters and they get along just fine. There are some things your child may never like to eat, and that’s okay too. The important thing is that you check with his pediatrician often to make sure that his growth and nutrition are on track.

Let’s say there’s a food that you really want him to like because it’s of cultural importance, or maybe it’s a family favorite.  Let’s say that food is white rice. You may have to serve it to him literally ten to twenty times before he will try it, and hopefully accept it.

Rules Help

The best way to get your picky eater to be more open about eating new foods is to set up clear boundaries during mealtime.  Set expectations, such as everyone eats at the table, no screen time while eating and sitting down to eat. The less distractions there are the more he can focus on eating.  You can also make a rule that your kiddo can refuse a new food the first time it’s offered, but next time he has to take at least one bite before he can set it aside.

To help avoid tantrums, crying or throwing food on the floor encourage your picky eater to put his plate in the sink or ask to be excused.  Sometimes picky eaters don’t want to try new foods because they are already full by the time dinner rolls around. In that case limit or don’t allow snacking and grazing before mealtimes.

Hope And Change

Picky eaters are by no means hopeless.  Try these rules and suggestions; they can make a big difference in how he approaches food.  Be consistent in applying the rules and be faithful to the meal routine. Finally, it’s important to be as positive as possible whenever your kiddo has a breakthrough.  Praise him when he decides to try creamed spinach for the first time and eats a mouthful or two. Who knows? With your encouragement, in time it may become his new favorite food.