I’ve been a fussy eater for about as long as I can remember. My parents like to remind me that I loved all sorts of fruits and veggies when I was preschool age, until one day, much to their chagrin, I turned against so much of what I had previously loved. Sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, sultanas, nuts; I wouldn’t touch any of it. Long story short, my parents had to get creative. Here are some of our tips for fussy eaters if you too are in a similar situation.
Getting involved:
Letting the kids get involved with meal or snack time by serving themselves or helping to prepare the food has been shown to make them more likely to enjoying eating. You could try getting the kids to help whisking eggs for an omelette, or peeling some fruit for a fruit salad.
Getting creative:
Similarly, if the food looks more “fun” the kids will be more likely to try it even if it’s something that they’re not familiar with. Try making pictures or a face out of veggies, or try the classic ants on a log.
Getting healthy:
If they won’t settle for anything less than unhealthy junk food, try making your own healthier alternatives. For example, try burgers made with lean mince, pancakes using a healthy banana recipe, or ice lollies with frozen fruit juice.
Staying persistent:
Often it can take up to 15 or even 20 times for a certain food to be on the plate before a child will try it. Don’t give up!
Photo: courtesy of Flickr
