Picky eating is often met in toddlers. After the rapid growth of infancy, a toddler’s growth rate, and appetite, tends to slow down a bit.
At this age, toddlers are also beginning to develop food preferences, which can be a fickle process. A toddler’s favorite food one day may hit the floor the next, or a snubbed food might suddenly become the one he or she can’t get enough of. In any case, raising a picky eater can be challenging for parents.
Here are some strategies that might help to ease the process.
1- Offer multiple food choices at meal times and let your child pick from them.
2- Incorporate their favorite meals into the menu and rotate them.
3- Allow your child to help you prepare meals, as this will make them more interested in the food.
4- Make mealtimes a positive experience by talking about fun topics and avoiding any pressure to eat.
5- Keep mealtimes short and strict by not allowing your child to snack between meals.
6- Offer a variety of foods, but don’t force them to try something if they don’t want to.
7- Use fun plate decorations to make the food more appealing.
8- Be patient: Don’t pressure them to try new things. Remind them that it is okay to not like certain foods, but be patient and keep offering healthy options.
9- Make sure your child is getting enough sleep and exercise, as this can help with appetite.
10- Reward your child for trying new foods, even if they don’t like it in the end.
11- Make it fun: Try playing fun games while they are eating. Make meals into a fun activity and they may be more likely to try something new.
12- Be a role model: Show them that you are willing to try new things. Be a role model and show them how it can be fun to try different foods.
I hope these tips help you in your journey with picky eaters!
Antiochou-Plexida Konstantina, SLP
