This goes out to all you Mamas out there who are dealing with your own little picky eaters.  Do your kids refuse to try new things? Have a problem with certain textures? Throw tantrums at the table? Gag when you put their plate down? Spit out their food? Or flat out, won’t eat?

I’m here to tell you that I feel your pain, and that not all is lost. Also, there are things you can do to make it better.

The best way to avoid this problem entirely is to start early, ideally once you’ve switched them over to solid food. At this age it is important to have set meal times and places (such as the dinner table or a high chair) so that the association is there.  Be sure to always encourage your child to feed themselves, even if you are doing most of the work, it helps to place some of the food directly in front of them and let them get messy with it, as children often learn through play.

If, however, your child starts to show signs of picky eating, be sure to listen to them first.  If your toddler spits out their food, there is a reason, namely that either the taste or texture did not agree with them. Rather than forcing it on them, however, move on to something else, and rather than trying that same dish again too soon, give it at least a week and see. Sometimes all they need is time.

It also helps to involve them in the entire cooking/eating process. Take them with you to the supermarket, have them pick out one or two things that you would like them to try. Ask them to help you cook or have them with you in the kitchen so they can see what you’re doing and feel encouraged to ask questions. Lastly, try to avoid snacking to ensure they are hungry at mealtimes.

If the difficult eating behaviours should continue, then sometimes it is better to take a step back. Yes, I understand that worrying about your child’s nutrition is extremely stressful, but you may be doing more harm than good.  If your child is otherwise thriving, meeting all their milestones and has a healthy BMI, then it might be time to temporarily accept their limited diet choices. In fact, such is the advice of Dr Megan Pesch, a developmental and behavioural paediatrician at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. To know more, click here: Picky eaters may outgrow it but parents can help – The Washington Post

For those of you who struggle with the laid-back approach, please stay tuned for Part 2, featuring healful bullet points on how to deal with picky eaters.