Let’s face it, almost all kids are picky eaters. And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get your child to eat the food that you’re giving them. What’s a mom to do?
What can you read in this article?
- How to deal with picky eater toddler
- Psychology of Picky eaters
- Food for extremely picky eaters
Forcing your kids to eat food sends the wrong message
According to a recent study conducted on college students, over 69% of them say that they were forced to eat a certain type of food that they disliked when they were young. Surprisingly, because of the fact that they were forced to eat the food, 72% of those respondents said that they would not willingly eat the food that they were forced to eat.
What this means is that forcing your kids to eat the food they don’t like is not the way to go about things.
Forcing them to eat food can also make them feel stressed, and they might relate the food to a negative experience, making things even worse when they grow up.
How to deal with picky eater toddler
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The important thing when it comes to feeding your child a new type of food, or a type of food that they don’t particularly like, would be to make it something familiar.
What you can do would be to give them a type of food that they’re used to, in addition to the food that they don’t like. You can try giving them a taste of the food they don’t like alternately with the food that they like.
That way, they’ll slowly become more familiar with the taste of the food, and in time, they’ll eventually learn to like the taste of the food that’s served to them.
Another key thing would be to mix things up. If you see that your kid loves pork adobo, but doesn’t like eating chicken, you can serve them Adobong Manok instead of Pork Adobo. It’s all about trying to give them options but still making the taste familiar to them.
Kids are pretty receptive to new things, though it’s important to not surprise them with strong tastes or something that’s out of their comfort zone. It’s all about finding a balance between new experiences and things that your kid is already familiar with.
Psychology of Picky Eaters
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Dr. Lee Gibson, a reader in biopsychology and director of the Clinical and Health Psychology Research Centre at the University of Roehampton, said that picky eating is normal in children.
According to an article by NBC News, a 2015 review of studies from the 1990s assessed kids’ eating patterns and have found a connection between picky eating and personality traits, parental control at mealtime, social influences, maternal eating patterns. Or at the very least, a kid just being a kid.
Thus, the best initial thing to do is to find the root cause so you can appropriately and properly address the concern.
In Psychology Today, Dana Blumberg, an occupational therapist in Livingston, NJ, has listed a few reasons why children can be picky eaters. In a study she conducted, she first asked parents to make a list of all the meals that their child will consume.
The majority of parents report that their child will eat the same food over and over again before refusing. The reason being they got bored and started preferring another meal, and the cycle continues.
Based on Blumberg’s study, here are factors you can look into to know if your child is a picky eater:
1. Preference for a specific taste
Picky eaters have a strong preference for a specific brand/recipe and will notice even minor differences if the brand/recipe is changed. These small discrepancies can lead to food rejection.
2. Less flavor is better
Picky eaters also like to eat “clean,” which means they avoid seasonings and sauces. They may also prefer soft bread with butter, which are all moderate and predictable flavors.
3. Gastrointestinal issues
It’s also crucial to rule out gastrointestinal problems that could be causing strong food preferences by examining foods that cause discomforts like reflux or constipation. You may also consult your doctor or nutritionist to help you prepare a meal plan essentially for your child. This way, she will be able to gain the ideal weight and nutrients for growth.
4. Oral motor strength
Blumberg stressed the importance of having the physical capacity and strength to chew and crunch foods that demand more force to break down. There are various textures and odors of food that can be preferred or disliked by children.
5. “Aversion” to color
Some youngsters have a strong dislike for foods of a particular color, such as green. In the study, Blumberg addressed this by bringing in green items and scatter them over the therapy area to help the youngster adjust to the color.
Parents are also requested to follow the same at home. The idea is to assist the child in undoing the aversion and learning to accept the color, which will have a positive impact on eating greens.
READ MORE:
Is your kid a picky eater? Boost her appetite with these 10 foods!
6 Mom-tested tips to get your picky eater excited about food
Picky Eaters Decoded: 8 tips on introducing healthy foods to kids
Is being choosy with food, related to a picky eater disorder?
Picky eating isn’t simply a stumbling block for toddlers. It can also occur in teens and adults. A very rare syndrome identified and linked to this is called the avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).
In 2013, mental health professionals identified ARFID as an eating disorder. ARFID patients are significantly restricted in their food intake. They are unable to consume foods of a specific color, aroma, texture, or even brand name. Instead, they are limited to foods of a specific consistency. Low interest in food, worries of choking or vomiting, feeling full around mealtimes, and a reluctance to eat with others in social situations are all ARFID red signs.
Because of this, ARFID patients are not able to consume enough calories or nutrients. This can cause growth issues as well as zinc, iron, folate, vitamin B-12, and vitamin C deficits. ARFID can also lead to:
- Cold intolerance
- Dizziness and fainting
- Sleeping problems
- Fatigue
- Hair Loss
- Dry Skin
- Digestive problems
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Trouble with concentrating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
ARFID Treatment
ARFID can be treated in a variety of ways. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, appetite-stimulating and anxiety-reducing medications, hospitalization, and outpatient eating disorder programs are all possible treatments.
It is also significant for family members of people with ARFID to be involved in the treatments so they can properly assist their loved ones as they undergo treatment, even at home.
Food for extremely picky eaters
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Consider these tips while preparing food for extremely picky eaters:
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Don’t force your child into a meal.
Don’t impose a meal or snack on your child if he or she isn’t hungry. Don’t bribe or compel your youngster to eat certain meals or wipe his or her plate, either. A power struggle over food may spark your child to connect mealtime with anxiety and frustration. He or she may even become less attentive to hunger and fullness signs.
To prevent overloading your youngster, provide tiny quantities and allow him or her to autonomously request more.
If your child rejects the initial meal, preparing a separate meal for him or her may encourage fussy eating. Even if your child doesn’t eat, encourage him or her to sit at the table for the designated mealtime.
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Be patient with introducing new food.
Young toddlers frequently touch and smell novel foods, and they may even put small pieces in their mouths and subsequently swallow them.
Before your child takes the first bite of a new meal, he or she may need to be exposed to it several times. Encourage your youngster by discussing the color, shape, aroma, and texture of a dish rather than if it tastes delicious.
Get creative with meals. Serve broccoli and other vegetables with a dip or sauce of your choice. You may also use cookie cutters to cut foods into various shapes.
During meals, turn off the television and other technological devices. This will assist your child in concentrating on his or her meal. Keep in mind that television commercials may influence your child’s desire for sugary or unhealthy foods.
Every day, provide meals and snacks at around the same time. If your child refuses to eat a meal, a regular snack time will provide an opportunity for him or her to eat healthy foods.
However, allowing your child to eat as much juice, milk, or snacks as he or she wants during the day may reduce his or her appetite for meals.
Consult your doctor
If you think you or your child is having trouble with picky eaters disorder, consult your primary care physician immediately. He or she can help you rule out symptoms and concerns, and then guide you to the right solution and treatment.
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