Toddlers With Picky (or Choosy) Eating: How To Help And Handle Toddlers With Picky Eating Habits

Do you have a picky or fussy eater in your home? If mealtimes are a hardship for you and your children, learn the facts about picky eating and how to help them overcome their habits...!

Picky or Choosy eating is common in toddlers' lives and it is a part of their growth and development. It is also usual for children to be picky eaters. However, they will become less choosy as they grow older. Many parents are concerned about their picky eater is not getting enough nutrition for proper growth and development.

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What Does It Mean To Be Picky Or Choosy When It Comes To Eating?

Picky eating(also known as fussy, choosy, or selective eating) is common in early childhood. It is characterized by an unhappy feeling when eating familiar foods or trying new foods, and strong food preferences. Picky eating can be a frustrating food-related problem for parents to deal with.

A child's appetite fluctuates frequently, so it is important to strike a balance between encouraging children to listen to their own body cues, exploring their preferences, and ensuring that they get a chance to try a variety of foods so that they can develop a healthy relationship with food as they grow older. It is common for children to need time and space in order to practice tasting new foods.

What Causes A Toddler's Picky Eating?

Early feeding difficulties, late introduction of semi-solid foods at weaning, and pressure to eat are the main causes of picky eating. children are more sensitive to food flavors, smell, and texture of the food by nature. Other children model their parent's picky eating habits. When parents punish, bribe, or reward their children's eating behavior, picky eating habits are more likely to develop.

Consequences Of Picky Eating In Toddlers

Although some children's picky eating habits are temporary, it is a frequent problem for others. Picky eating for a long period of time can have major effects, such as:

---> Abnormal growth is caused by nutrient deficiencies

---> Because of a weak immune system, there is a higher risk of illness and infection

---> Long term health issues

---> Argument between parents and children

---> Constipation is caused by a lack of dietary fiber

Picky Eaters Typical Behavior

---> Consuming a small amount of food

---> Accepting only certain kinds of foods

---> Eating some fruits and veggies

---> Refusing to try out new foods

How Can You Help Your Child Get Rid Of Their Picky Eating Habit?

It is never too late to start following the suggestions below if your child is a picky eater. Make an effort to begin as soon as possible. Begin carefully and gradually introduce them in a way that is comfortable for you and your child.

1. Introduce New Foods

It is important to provide new dishes to your children on a regular basis if you want them to complete their plate. Serve one new meal at a time paired with a familiar and favorite food of your child. Serving a variety of food is important because a child may first refuse to try a dish you give, but seeing it on their plate encourages them to taste it.

2. Have some Fun with Food

Do not think that having fun with food is a bad habit. Children usually, show an interest in foods that are colorful, cut into shapes, or served with a sauce. Of course, this means extra work for parents, but if you serve the meal with some variety of fun - obviously your little one will try to taste it.

 3. Begin by Serving with Small portions

Offering a small portion of food to your children serves two purposes. First, seeing a large portion of food may overwhelm your child. Second, waste will be reduced. If you serve a small portion of food, your child will be able to decide how much they want to eat and if they like the taste, they will be able to ask for more.

4. Frequently Provide a Variety of Food

Set a goal for yourself, such as introducing one or two new foods for at least a week. If you serve a new food besides your child's familiar or favorite food, there will be no more new foods because your child has already seen them on their plate.

5. Do not Force them to Eat

Encourage your child to eat, but do not force him or her to eat or complete their plate. Instead, understand that your job is to make healthy nutritious food and your child's role is to decide how much they want to eat.

Consider These Points When Working With A Picky Eater

---> Involve your child in meal preparation. It might encourage kids to try foods that they have prepared themselves

---> Avoid distractions such as mobile phones, TV, toys, books, and others during mealtime

---> Most of the children like to copy what others do, so set an example by eating healthy nutritious foods

---> At each meal, encourage your child to try at least a few bites of new foods

---> Children usually enjoy making decisions about what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, talk to your kids about making choices and plan a balanced nutritious meal

---> Allow them to refuse specific foods or whole meals

---> Threatening, scolding, punishing, and bribing can make them even more resistant to eating. Praise and encouragement will help them in developing food likes and dislikes

When Should You See A Doctor?

If you are worried about your picky eater, consult your child's doctor right away. It is recommended that if your child has extreme reactions to foods they do not like or suddenly dislikes the foods they used to enjoy the most. Your child's doctor will definitely help you in resolving difficult problems.

Final Thought

If you are working with a picky eater, do not be concerned if all your efforts are not successful at first. Generally, children eat one type of food for a certain period of time before switching to another type of food. Simply track their food intake over the course of a week or even a month,  rather than just one day or one meal. Remember that your child's picky eating habits will not improve overnight; instead, take a small step each day to help your child develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.