Going through the picky eater stage
Go to:
Previous story
|
 Next story
|
 |
Have a question for our experts? Ask it here.
Your question:
My son is a very picky eater. He does not eat bread or peanut butter and jelly. He won't eat most meats. Packing his lunch is no fun. It's chicken nuggets or chicken soup. I need ideas for lunches that do not need to be heated, per his daycare. He lives on chicken nuggets and yogurt and cereal. The only veggies he eats is carrots, and that is very rarely.
The expert answers:
You are in good company. Just about every child goes
through the picky eater stage and just about every
parent worries their child will be malnourished.
Relax. A recent study out of Finland looked at 500 picky five year olds and found their diets were not that different than kids described as "good eaters."
The picky eaters ate a little less fiber and calcium. The biggest difference was when the picky eaters ate most of their calories-at snack time. So, take advantage of those rare moments when your child actually feels like eating something and make it nutritious.
Another take home message: Kids are more likely to try new foods when they have participated in the preparation (help in the kitchen) or even the production of it (try a family garden). And, offering a new food several times in a row without pressure (or reward) is more likely to lead to acceptance of a new food.
|
Sources of protein:
Sneaky sources of vegetables:
Other cold food items:
Remember, you can only set up the right environment
for good nutrition. Let your child decide whether or
not to eat and how much. 
