Tips for Picky Eaters

Not only does my son have several food allergies, he’s an insanely picky eater. Lately he’s been obsessed with Birthday Cakes (even though, for the second birthday in a row he wouldn’t even TRY his uber-expensive-special-custom-ordered-from-a-bakery-allergy-free-cake). So the other day, completely at my wits end because my son barely eats enough to keep a gerbil alive, I tried this bit of creative food preparation to try and entice him into eating lunch:

While he thought that having a hotdog birthday cake with pretzel candles was pretty darn cool, only a couple bites went into his mouth.

Like many other parents out there with a picky eater, mealtimes are a frustrating battleground. Mealtimes are skipped in favor of play times.

Not only is it a fight to get every morsel of food into my son’s mouth, the amount that ends up on the floor or in the garbage is extremely frustrating.

It’s reassuring to know we’re not alone in this. One quick Google search turned up these 10 tips for Picky Eaters from the Mayo Clinic staff:

• 1. Respect your child’s appetite — or lack of one


Young children tend to eat only when they’re hungry. If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack. Likewise, don’t bribe or force your child to clean his or her plate. This may only ignite — or reinforce — a power struggle over food.

• 2. Stick to the routine


Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. Nix juice, milk and snacks for at least one hour before meals. If your child comes to the table hungry, he or she may be more motivated to eat.

• 3. Be patient with new foods


Young children often touch or smell new foods, and may even put tiny bits in their mouths and then take them back out again. Your child may need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Encourage your child by talking about a food’s color, shape, aroma and texture — not whether it tastes good.

• 4. Make it fun


Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favorite dip or sauce. Cut foods into various shapes with cookie cutters. Offer breakfast foods for dinner.

• 5. Recruit your child’s help


At the grocery store, ask your child to help you select fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Don’t buy anything that you don’t want your child to eat. At home, encourage your child to help you rinse veggies, stir batter or set the table.

• 6. Set a good example


If you eat a variety of healthy foods, your child is more likely to follow suit.

• 7. Be sneaky


Add chopped broccoli or green peppers to spaghetti sauce, top cereal with fruit slices, or mix grated zucchini and carrots into casseroles and soups.

• 8. Minimize distractions


Turn off the television during meals, and don’t allow books or toys at the table.

• 9. Don’t offer dessert as a reward


Withholding dessert sends the message that dessert is the best food, which may only increase your child’s desire for sweets. You might select one or two nights a week as dessert nights, and skip dessert the rest of the week — or redefine dessert as fruit, yogurt or other healthy choices.

• 10. Don’t be a short order cook


Preparing a separate meal for your child after he or she rejects the original meal may encourage your child’s picky eating. Keep serving your child healthy choices until they become familiar and preferred.

If you’re concerned that picky eating is compromising your child’s growth and development or if certain foods make your child ill, consult your child’s doctor. In the meantime, remember that your child’s eating habits won’t likely change overnight — but the small steps you take each day can help promote a lifetime of healthy eating.

Just based off this list, there are several things I can see we already need to work on. But sadly, unless I want to cut dairy, egg and nuts out of my diet, I’m still going to have to cook SOME separate meals.

So what do you guys think? Do you have any other tips on getting the picky eater in YOUR house to eat?

-k.