Fussy Eaters | Managing choosy eaters

by Theresea Hughes

Choosy eaters also known as "fussy eaters" or "picky eaters", all tend to be selective in the food they eat. Some of them are particular about their food because of a strict diet, religious implications or simply because of their desire to eat food they like.

Some people enjoy eating specific food only and will not bother even trying of any other type of food. This attitude may be acceptable if the food they choose to eat is healthy and constitutes a balanced meal.

However, most teenagers tend to eat “junk” food like burgers and fries rather than vegetables and other nutritious food. That type of disposition can eventually affect their well being.

Most babies and children tend to shy away from vegetables although they see adults eating it as part of their regular meal. There seems to be no reason for their refusal to eat it other than the food has been identified as vegetables.

Not eating specific food like pork, because of their religion, is acceptable because it forms part of their religious beliefs and has nothing to do with being a picky eater.

Picky eaters are fussy people who choose specific food to eat simply because that’s what they want to eat. Here are some things you can do to entice them to eat what is served on the table.

Serving different foods will provide a variety of food and may make them interested to try other cooking styles. Set a menu for the week that defines different food for each day.

This can be difficult even if you try to cook all the meals during the weekend. Most people would cook a large quantity of the same dish and have it available during the entire week.

There may be three or four types of viands at the most for the entire week. Having a different dish every meal time can be tiring.

Make it into a tasting game and tell them to eat each type of food served during the week and rate the food according to some agreed criteria. Have the family join in preparing the meals.

They can add their own special ingredients or try experimenting with different cooking styles. Most people like to eat what they cook, especially if they know what they placed in the food.

Explain to your children the food pyramid and what food is eaten by different life forms. Show them the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.

Try cooking the vegetables with meat flavoring or mixing them as part of the toppings for a pizza dish. It is possible the different texture and taste might make them eat the vegetables without realizing that they are consuming the dreaded leafy vegetables.

Show them the different vitamins and nutrients available in the different food, and how it makes us strong and healthy. Trying new food can be an enjoyable experience.

Sometimes the presentation of the food plays a great part in having them consume the food. If the food looks and smells good, there is a good chance they will try the food.

Avoid having alternatives. Set the meal and do not provide them with other choices if they don’t like what was prepared. Have them eat the food that you cooked or go hungry.

Chances are once they get hungry, they will eat the food served during meal times. There may be instances they might prefer going hungry but the occasions may become lesser once they get accustomed to the different food.

As the child grows bigger, their choice of food may expand. They might start eating other food once they see their group mates or friends eating it too.

Click here to read more about Children Playing with Food - Fussy Eaters

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