Why are Kids Picky Eaters?

The things that most kids shove aside in their plates are because they taste bad to them. While growing up, kids want high-calorie foods. Some people are more sensitive to bitter tastes. That is the reason your kid dislikes broccoli and bitter gourd. The growth of kids slows down after the age of 2. So they will have less appetite on certain days. But that is normal until the time they show healthy growth pattern. Also if your kids eat chips or have juice before lunchtime, they will not be able to finish their entire plate that day. Kids start asserting their independence when they grow up. It is a part of their natural behavior. So when they push away that plate during dinner, they are simply learning to say “No”. All of these apart, you should be careful if your child shows signs of allergy or upset stomach after eating certain foods. They might be having a medical problem due to which they are showing an aversion to food altogether. So, notice the pattern and talk to the child about it. We will be help you with deal with picky eating in your children.

How To Deal With Picky Eating?

#1. Mix Healthy With Likeable Food

If your kids love to gorge on pizza and burger, you should not worry about their health. You just have to think of some tricks of slipping healthy food in the form of their favourite snacks. If your kids tell you they want pizza, make one at home instead of ordering from the fast food chain. Now you have the control to put the veggies on the pizza base and cover it with the generous garnish of cheese. They will be enjoying their favourite snack as a healthy veggie food without even realizing. The same can be done with burgers too. You can fill sliced up salad inside the buns and serve it to the kids to eat to their heart’s content.

#2. Include Kids In Food Prep

Kids mostly do not eat some food because it looks bad or smells bad. That is why you should involve kids to help you with everything it takes to cook a meal. This way they will learn that it is not so bad. They will also feel ownership over the meals. They are less likely to leave the food on the plate when they have cooked it themselves. Take your kids to grocery shopping where they can learn the variety of food in the market. By being involved in the food preparation, there are better chances that they will like their food too.

#3. Don’t Keep Snacks At Home

Kids need some quick munchies when they come home from the playground, that is your time of serving them healthy food. But you have to make sure that you do not have junk food like chips and soda kept at home. Instead, keep some healthy snacks available in store so that the kids pick and eat them when they feel the hunger pangs. Keep fruits and juice to satiate their hunger. The kids might resist in the beginning, but when they do not have many options, they will resort to eating the apples kept in the basket.

Read More: Picky Eaters Kids