Feeding Your Child
by Jenny Beth Gillihan, RD
Is your child eating enough of the right foods? Is your child a picky
eater?
Proper nutrition during childhood is vital for all children to grow and
develop. Many children move through picky eating stages and patterns,
which can be very challenging for both parent and child nutritionally.
Many studies have shown that food experiences in early childhood influence
eating habits throughout life. It is extremely important to introduce
children to a variety of foods from each food group in the food guide
pyramid for a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals.
Children between the ages of 2-5 years become characteristically resistant
to trying new foods and sometimes dietary variety diminishes. This is
a normal stage for most children to experience!!! However, with repeated
exposure to new foods, children will slowly accept new foods and healthy
ways in eating.
Picky Eating Solutions:
- Be creative with food preparation: use cookie cutters, shapes, color,
etc……
- Create a calm environment for mealtime
- Do not force your child to eat!
- Let the prepared meal be the only choice---too many choices can be
confusing to children!
- Read fun stories about cooking and food to your child
- Let your child help in the kitchen
- Create a "New Foods" chart and each day the child can place
a star, check, or sticker if your child tries a new food---Let there
be a prize at the end of each week!
- There is no such thing as BAD FOODS!!
- Have healthy snacks on hand
- Present foods in their favorite plate or bowl
- Provide easy-to-use utensils
- Plan ahead for mealtime and allow your child to have some input and
ideas
- Make the grocery list together and the take a fun trip to the FOOD
STORE!!!
- Most importantly, be a good example during meal time.
Fun Recipe Idea of the Month:
Bugs Bunny Face
Place peach half as face on lettuce with 2 sliced peaches as ears. Use
toothpicks to place in the raisin eyes and cut cherries for the nose &
mouth. Above all be creative!!!!
Resources:
1. Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, American Academy
of Pediatrics. Fifth Edition, 2003-2004
