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Making food fun for fussy eaters

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You begin with noble ideals – my children will only eat organic, they won’t eat sugar, this is a no-preservative household – only to break all your own rules because you’d rather your child eat something than nothing at all. And it just so happens that the only thing your kid will eat at the moment is mashed potatoes and jelly beans. 

Some children have a lot of trouble adapting to new flavours and textures when it comes to food. Understanding that it’s anxiety and fear that’s fuelling the fussy eating, can go a long way in allaying your own frustrations.

The more you focus on getting your child to eat, the more anxious she can become, and the less likely to clean her plate. 

Experts suggest that getting children involved with the shopping and cooking are good ways for them to learn about different foods.

  • Do family shopping trips. Ask your child to pick a new type of food each time to encourage trying new things. Talk about vegetables and fruit, and why they’re good for growing bodies. Research the facts so you can fuel your child’s mind as well as body.
  • Give your child a role in the kitchen, be it stirring the pot or washing the lettuce or helping grate cheese. A child is more likely to want to eat a meal they helped contribute to making because they feel a sense of ownership over it.
  • Try not to shout or get angry. If your child was having trouble learning to swim, you’d be encouraging when they did something right and offer consolation when they weren’t feeling so confident. Approach eating the same way.
  • Set a good example. By eating well, enjoying your healthy choices and explaining your food choices to your child, she will soon want to emulate you and feel included in the fun.

Despite your best efforts, some kids remain stubbornly reluctant to eat properly. Here, the best thing to do would be to invest in a good nutritional supplement to ensure your kid gets all the vitamins vital for healthy development.

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