How to get kids eating healthy when they're picky eaters

by Brian White (Subscribe to Brian White's posts)
Jun 23rd 2007 1:17PM

Most parents have faced the "picky eater" in one or more of their children. It's not easy trying to get that good nutrition down the throats of kids who prefer sugared breakfast cereal and french fries over everything else.

Are there solutions to the picky eater in your family? Sure there are -- but it takes patience and creativity like anything else that deals with getting kids to do what they really need to do (like cleaning those rooms!).

Anyway, here are some great tips from the University of California, San Francisco on getting those kids ready to eat better by using methods that lead them to the right choices.

Give your child a variety of foods to choose from, including a fruit, vegetable, protein and starch. Don't only offer foods you know your child will eat.
Don't give your child too many high-calorie drinks, which could fill her up and keep her from wanting to eat.
Stick to a meal schedule, so that your child will be hungry at mealtime.
Keep meals pleasant, in an environment free of TV, argument or stressful conversation.
If your child won't eat, don't prepare a different meal just to satisfy her. She'll have another opportunity to eat at her next meal in a few hours.
Continue offering your child foods that she has once refused. Her eating habits may change.

Source

Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Lynne Eldridge M.D. 6-23-2007 @ 2:32PM

Thanks so much for sharing these tips! Knowing that our childrens diet now affects their risk of cancer both in childhood and later in life, it is important that they eat right!

As a mom of four I know some kids are born pickier than others! These tips are great, but sometimes it takes us as parents needing advice (myself included). I have found the book "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline M.D. and Jim Fay, a great resource when I find myself pulling out hair trying to keep my kids healthy!

Lynne Eldridge M.D.
Author, "Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time"
http://www.avoidcancernow.com

Jane 6-23-2007 @ 7:19PM

We as parents also have to remember that we have to live by what we preach, we have to eat healthy and let the children see that. We cannot say do as I say not do as I do.

Mom 10-14-2007 @ 11:12AM

I haven't had any trouble with my kids being picky eaters; I simply don't allow it. I cook what my husband and I like to eat, lots of foreign cuisine, very little if any fast food, and I don't keep junk or snack foods in the house. If the kids don't like what is served, they don't get any alternatives...period. They have two choices; eat it or don't eat. As a result, they eat well and I don't try to "accomodate" them.