Small children can be incredibly hard to feed. If you happen to have a picky eater on your hands, you may be having a difficult time getting your youngster to try new foods. Eating a vast array of food choices can be critical for ensuring that no key nutrients are being missed. Following are several tips for helping a finicky child explore new options.
It is first important to note that many children are reticent to try new things. Kids start out with simple palates for a reason. When their digestive tracts are still new and sensitive, the body is unlikely to crave foods that it cannot handle. Thus, you shouldn't try to push a child to be too adventurous early on.
It is important to note that kids have a keen understanding of how certain foods make them feel and thus, this could be the cause of their refusal. As an example, if your child has elevated blood sugar levels, he or she may refuse waffles with syrup. If your youngster has a wheat allergy, whole wheat sandwiches are probably not a favorite either. Keeping in mind that kids often have their own intuitive and inherent understanding of what their bodies need and of what they may or may not be able to tolerate.
Kids are more likely to eat uncooked vegetables than they are to eat veggies that have been cooked. Avoiding cooking veggies until they are soft and absolute flavorless. Foods like these can stimulate the gag reflex. This is why it is best to introduce your child to very basic salads and then move on from there.
Offering small dishes of dipping sauces and dressings is another way to make eating vegetables fun. Your child might not like cooked carrots, but she may love dipping raw carrots in ranch dressing. Some veggies like celery even taste great in peanut and almond butters.
When you cook your vegetables, cut these up as small as you possibly can and try hiding them by surrounding them by other foods. Kids are more likely to eat them without complaining if they do not know they are there. This is actually a clever strategy for getting your child's palate acclimated to garlic, peppers and other healthful and flavorful addition. You can sneak things like these right into spaghetti sauces or pot pies that you have made on your own.
Even fruit can be spiced up with special dips and spreads. There are delicious, chocolate and hazelnut spreads that many kids love. Set these out with a bunch of sliced apples, bananas and pairs and your little one is guaranteed to gobble up produce. Over time, he or she will soon be eating these fruits all on their own.
Try inviting a few of your child's friends over and hosting a buffet-style meal. Children are more likely to try foods that they see their peers eating and enjoying. This is why many kids develop more robust appetites and balanced eating habits after going to school. Once your little one has had a few play dates, he or she will probably be comfortable with consuming a larger variety of meats, fruits, vegetables and starches.
It is first important to note that many children are reticent to try new things. Kids start out with simple palates for a reason. When their digestive tracts are still new and sensitive, the body is unlikely to crave foods that it cannot handle. Thus, you shouldn't try to push a child to be too adventurous early on.
It is important to note that kids have a keen understanding of how certain foods make them feel and thus, this could be the cause of their refusal. As an example, if your child has elevated blood sugar levels, he or she may refuse waffles with syrup. If your youngster has a wheat allergy, whole wheat sandwiches are probably not a favorite either. Keeping in mind that kids often have their own intuitive and inherent understanding of what their bodies need and of what they may or may not be able to tolerate.
Kids are more likely to eat uncooked vegetables than they are to eat veggies that have been cooked. Avoiding cooking veggies until they are soft and absolute flavorless. Foods like these can stimulate the gag reflex. This is why it is best to introduce your child to very basic salads and then move on from there.
Offering small dishes of dipping sauces and dressings is another way to make eating vegetables fun. Your child might not like cooked carrots, but she may love dipping raw carrots in ranch dressing. Some veggies like celery even taste great in peanut and almond butters.
When you cook your vegetables, cut these up as small as you possibly can and try hiding them by surrounding them by other foods. Kids are more likely to eat them without complaining if they do not know they are there. This is actually a clever strategy for getting your child's palate acclimated to garlic, peppers and other healthful and flavorful addition. You can sneak things like these right into spaghetti sauces or pot pies that you have made on your own.
Even fruit can be spiced up with special dips and spreads. There are delicious, chocolate and hazelnut spreads that many kids love. Set these out with a bunch of sliced apples, bananas and pairs and your little one is guaranteed to gobble up produce. Over time, he or she will soon be eating these fruits all on their own.
Try inviting a few of your child's friends over and hosting a buffet-style meal. Children are more likely to try foods that they see their peers eating and enjoying. This is why many kids develop more robust appetites and balanced eating habits after going to school. Once your little one has had a few play dates, he or she will probably be comfortable with consuming a larger variety of meats, fruits, vegetables and starches.
About the Author:
If your child is a picky eater, there are many treatment options for them. To make use of all the available resources, go to http://playfulstrides.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment