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Why are some children fussy eaters?

This is a question many of us ask ourselves and sometimes leads to frustration for both the child and the parent. Parents get concerned that their child will go hungry or wont receive enough nutrition from the food they are eating. Sometimes kids just aren’t hungry or they are exercising their little voice and letting you know what they like and dislike. Don’t get into an argument over it or become stressed. They won’t starve and they will let  you know when they are hungry.  Offer them alternatives that are healthy and remember that it can take several requests with a new food before they will attempt to eat and possibly enjoy it!
When your child begins to understand the reward chart system you could incorporate using a healthy rewards eating chart. Create a meal time food chart using details that Go for 2&5® campaign (the veggie man/lady)  You can use this to teach children about healthy eating as well as rewarding them for leading a healthy lifestyle. You can visit their website to find out more. http://www.gofor2and5.com.au/

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12 Tips to encourage children to eat

Be positive with food especially when children try something new.

If you feel frustrated, try to ignore bad eating behaviour and focus your energy on getting your child to achieve a good eating behaviour.

Be a good role model for your children with your own eating habits.

Sit and eat with your children and make meal times a family experience. Children often don’t want to sit at the table by themselves so waiting till they finish eating before leaving will encourage them to finish their meals.

Make vegies fun by making faces or shapes they enjoy. E.g use a star cookie cutter to display mash potato, use a natural colouring to disguise foods they don’t enjoy.

Get the kids involved with food from the supermarket, garden or farmers market. Allow them to learn and understand food. Let them to do little things like get the crisper or choose which veggies they would like to eat tonight. If they are old enough get them to help prepare dinner by peeling and mixing etc. Including them can encourage them to eat the meal THEY have prepared.

Eating out can be tricky because childrens menus have a reputation for not providing healthy meals. You can let your child know this is a treat for the week/fortnight/month or you can request a half sized adult meal. Let your child know the request is very special and congratulate them on being such a big boy or girl.

Providing children with a variety of meals teaches them them about different tastes which hopefully should lead to less fussy eaters.

Understanding when your child is hungry is a huge step to having them eat their dinner. If they have arrived home and consumed snack foods they won’t be hungry when dinner time comes around. Having a healthy snack prepared for them stops them going to the cupboard wanting to eat unhealthy foods. Cut up fruit and cheese for afternoon tea, this will keep their hunger at bay without filling them up.

Making portion sizes small to start with so it is not overwhelming for the child. Provide seconds if needed.

Make your own veggie garden in the backyard to encourage your children to eat fresh and healthy products. A sense of pride and achievement will provide them with incentive to eat their dinner. Winter vegetables that can be planted now include  Asparagus, Asian vegetables, Broad Beans Garlic, Horseradish, Lettuce Onions Peas Rhubarb Shallots Silver beet  and Spinach Leek

Feeding Toddlers

Developing healthy eating habits with your baby or toddler

Babies who are teething may appear fussy eaters but this is due to sore gums and possible loss of appetite.

Babies and children go through periods when their appetite is increased and decreased due to growth spurts and the energy they may be using.

Add different spices or herbs to baby's solids to give them something new to try. This gives them a good variety of foods which gives you less of a chance of having a fussy toddler.

When babies are learning to eat solids allow them to feed themselves sometimes. Yes I know it’s messy but this allows them to explore a healthy relationship with food. Give them their own brightly coloured bowl and spoon. Make food time fun and never force feed your baby.

Provide babies around 9-12 months with a platter of healthy finger foods including well cooked vegetables such as broccoli, carrot, and potato. Meat, fish and chicken can be given and is suggested to be moist and finely chopped for baby to eat. You can also use hard fruits when cooked such as apple and soft fruits such as banana. Foods should be cooked and cut into pieces. It should be soft enough to soften quickly in baby’s mouth.

10 Healthy snack ideas for kids and adults!

Use vegetables and meat to make vegetable brownies.

Fruit smoothies made with milk or crushed ice are always a good alternative to soft drinks.