Many children go through phases where they only want to eat one or two kinds of food. However, a healthy diet is a balanced diet, and if you’re struggling to get your toddler to eat properly, then there are a few tips that could help.
First, trust your child. He or she knows how hungry they are, and what they feel like. That’s their body’s way of making sure that he or she’s getting the nutrients he needs to grow and thrive. Unless they’re sick, you shouldn’t worry too much what they’re eating, as long as he or she is eating.
Try to make food a choice for your child, by serving a variety of healthy options at every meal. That way, even if he or she doesn’t feel like a particular food, there are alternatives on offer.
You should also try to make meals a positive time – don’t try to force them to eat, and don’t make a big deal about new foods. As long as they’re age appropriate, eventually, your child will try them.
Try to make sure that you add new foods to their diet one at a time, and that they are served with something he or she already likes – they’ll be more inclined to give them a try.
Making sure your child is hungry when you serve new foods is another way you can coax them to try them – try serving them as his mid morning or afternoon snack.
Remember that taste, texture and smell all play a role. Some children have more sensitive taste buds than others, and some may eat a certain food prepared one way, but reject it when prepared another.
Add new foods to old favourites to boost nutritional value. Diced vegetables in macaroni and cheese, or fruit and yogurt with cereal are good examples.
Try to keep mealtimes calm, and avoid distractions. Toddlers are easily distracted, and it may not be that he or she dislikes the food you’re offering, but just that there’s something more interesting going on.
First, trust your child. He or she knows how hungry they are, and what they feel like. That’s their body’s way of making sure that he or she’s getting the nutrients he needs to grow and thrive. Unless they’re sick, you shouldn’t worry too much what they’re eating, as long as he or she is eating.
Try to make food a choice for your child, by serving a variety of healthy options at every meal. That way, even if he or she doesn’t feel like a particular food, there are alternatives on offer.
You should also try to make meals a positive time – don’t try to force them to eat, and don’t make a big deal about new foods. As long as they’re age appropriate, eventually, your child will try them.
Try to make sure that you add new foods to their diet one at a time, and that they are served with something he or she already likes – they’ll be more inclined to give them a try.
Making sure your child is hungry when you serve new foods is another way you can coax them to try them – try serving them as his mid morning or afternoon snack.
Remember that taste, texture and smell all play a role. Some children have more sensitive taste buds than others, and some may eat a certain food prepared one way, but reject it when prepared another.
Add new foods to old favourites to boost nutritional value. Diced vegetables in macaroni and cheese, or fruit and yogurt with cereal are good examples.
Try to keep mealtimes calm, and avoid distractions. Toddlers are easily distracted, and it may not be that he or she dislikes the food you’re offering, but just that there’s something more interesting going on.
