Tips for Dealing with Fussy Eaters

Chicken nuggets on repeat at your house? We hear you! Although fussy eating is common in toddlers, preschoolers and beyond, that doesn't mean it isn’t any less frustrating! Fussy eating is a normal part of a child's development and appetites can change depending on their activity levels and how much they are growing. As parents, we tend to worry that our kids are not receiving the proper nutrition, however our frustration at meal times isn’t helping!

Here are some of our simple tips to prevent mealtime battles.

 

1. Respect your Child's Appetite

Is it possible that your child may not be hungry? It is always good to remember that a healthy child will never starve themselves! Over the course of a week it is common for kids to get all the nutrition they need, so try not to stress over one meal. If your toddler thrives on snacks, just try serving up healthy snacks throughout the day.

2. Stick to Routines

If there is one thing that kids thrive on, it’s predictability! Try to serve meals & snacks around the same time each day. The food that you serve should be full of variety though, with plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables and different textures, like soft and crunchy.

 

 

3. Be Patient

The reality is you may have to try new foods MANY times before it sticks. A toddler may need to be offered the same food more than 10 to 15 times before they will even try it. Frustrating? Yes! But battling over food won't help - patience and persistence will eventually. Offer small bites of everything and if they refuse to try it, just try again next time.

4. Make Eating Fun

Eating should be fun and is a great time to connect as a family! By using fun Sandwich Cutters and accessories you can entice your kids to try new things. Kids love anything on a stick, so use our Stix to create kebabs, place food on brightly coloured plates or even theme your meals. It doesn't have to be complicated to capture their imagination, just making it different can make all the difference!

 

5. Set a Good Example

If you eat well, your kids will be WAY more likely to follow your lead. Sit down and eat as a family, and serve the same healthy foods to all family members. Let your kids see you enjoying healthy foods and if they want to eat off your plate - let them! Food always tastes better off someone else's plate!

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