Trying to encourage your child to try something new that is beneficial for their health can be a chore-some task that can lead to arguments and even tantrums. Here are some tips and tricks to help your picky eaters pick the right foods.
Plan Meals Together
Planning meals as a family can be a great way to help each member of your family to get the foods that they want, and encourage cooperation with the meals that are chosen. This does not mean your child gets to pick the meal every day and that you have to eat pizza every day. For example, maybe your child gets to choose what meal you guys make on Wednesdays. If your child chooses pizza, then they have to choose at least 3 vegetables that go on the pizza, or choose 2 veggies as sides for that meal. By giving your child choices, it may help with cooperation, as well as allow them to feel heard.
Make Meals Together
Though this is not always possible, having as many meals as possible where your child is helping prepare it gives them pride in what they are doing as well as encourages them to eat it because after all they did make it. This should be done with caution – for example – do not give a young child a knife to cut veggies. It can be something as simple as, if the recipe calls for 1 cup of corn, then let your child add it to the mixture.
Eat Together
Once again, this is not always possible with busy schedules, but whenever possible, eat together. By eating together, your child sees that everyone else is eating the same thing, and so, might be more willing to eat the food that is put in front of them.
Make Food Fun
Arranging meals on plates into fun shapes or designs can make meal – time fun. This does not take a lot of artistic capacity, but can be something as simple as making a smiley face on the plate.
Use Colourful Plates and Dishes
Using colourful plates and dishes can be effective in encourage children to eat the particular food in that dish.
Have you benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.
Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.