This will encourage proper eating habits in picky children
Why is your child picky about food and how can communication between you give him good habits and a balanced diet?
Daniel Sarantsky, in collaboration with JAMA
19/06/2022
Sunday, 19 June 2022, 07:22 Updated: 11:28
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The child is not ready to eat orange foods?
If the egg touched the cheese there is no way he will put it in his mouth?
Hot food always finds its way to the floor?
Your child seems to be picky about food and it's frustrating, and rightly so.
Sometimes it starts at the stage of exposure to solids, and sometimes at a later age, when the toddler discovers certain preferences or apprehension about trying new foods.
Along with frustration, picky eating can impair a child's growth and development and he or she will not gain enough weight.
Daniel Rokach
, a clinical nutritionist for infants from the "Pulse for Your Family" center, explains that eating pickiness can develop for two main reasons: Some children are naturally more sensitive to temperature, tastes, smells and textures.
Other children, on the other hand, develop picky eating habits that are based on poor eating behaviors.
So what can be done?
No matter what the reason, it is necessary to specify the nutrition of your child, remember that the key to change is the connection between you.
Already at the stage of exposure to solids, they taught him what the best eating model was, shared the responsibility in such a way that it would allow the baby independence and control, and trusted him to know how to express feelings of hunger and satiety.
Next, try to avoid using negative words like “struggle” or “war,” even in your thoughts, and replace those words with eating language that will allow for eye-level conversation from an attentive and respectful place.
For example, when talking about food be sure to speak positively.
Instead of "there is no omelet today" you will say - "today there is toast and if you want tomorrow we will make an omelet".
In addition, phrases like "you will end up on a plate", "you will stay hungry" and of course terms like "if you eat you will get dessert" have been removed from the lexicon.
From an early age, make sure to create a curiosity in the child around eating from the food preparation stage and maintain a positive atmosphere at the dining table.
Do not stress with stories about diseases and injections that the child will need because he does not eat enough.
It may work for you in the short term but in the long run these intimidations will only increase the child's negative feelings about food.
At the same time, always be sure to set an example.
The healthier and more balanced you eat, the more the child will strive to emulate you, especially at a young age.
Finally, it is important to remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint.
The child's eating habits will not change overnight, but the small steps you will take on a daily basis will become a big step towards a full life of healthy and balanced eating.
Of course there are cases where it is better to exercise judgment and seek professional opinion.
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Child eats cucumber (Photo: ShutterStock)
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