Healthy Eating for Kids: Tips & Recipes for Picky Eaters
Raising a kid can feel overwhelming at times, especially when your little one begins to assert their own choice and preferences for food. One of the responsibilities for you as a parent is to ensure healthy eating habits for your little ones. And if you have a picky eater in your lap, then every mealtime becomes a challenge for you.
This challenge is often compounded by the phase of picky eating that many children go through, where they often go for the same handful of foods repeatedly. This naturally begs the question of what parents can do about it. Let's explore tips and recipes that help you encourage your picky eaters to embrace a variety of foods.
Why Do Children Become Picky Eaters?
Before going into helpful tips & recipes for picky eaters, it is better for us to explore what could be the reasons behind the same.
Picky eating is the phase that many children go through at different periods. This phase is characterized by their reluctance to try anything new and preference to only go with what they like. In some cases, parents would notice that their kids only eat foods with specific colors and textures. This naturally is a course of concern for parents. However, it is vital that they remember that it is a temporary phase – also something that can be easily rectified.
Now, as to why children become picky eaters, this can be due to genetics, sensory sensitivities, personality traits, etc. It is also something that can be a normal part of their development. Around the age of two, children can start asserting their independence, which often manifests in selective eating.
No matter the reason behind this, there are simple tips that you can follow to sort this out. But what if you don't do that?
Consequences of Picky Eating
Having a variety of food that is equally healthy is important to fill in the potential nutritional need of the child for optimum growth and development. Picky eaters show stubbornness and stick to a minimal variety and texture of food, most of which do not fulfill the daily nutritional requirement of the baby.
Moreover, consistently consuming a limited variety of foods can set a pattern for future eating habits, resulting in your baby growing up as an adult with restricted dietary patterns.
Tips for Encouraging Healthy Eating
Nothing can beat a baby's stubbornness; thus, it can be downright frustrating for parents sometimes to get their kid to eat a proper meal. But the good news is - there's a lot you can do to get your child voluntarily eat healthy food without giving any tantrums or whining. Encouraging them to enjoy a range of foods can test your patience, but you can get desired results with the right strategies and a positive mindset.
Here are some engaging tactics that can help you:
- Get your little chef involved: Let your kiddo join in on the fun of mealtime prep! Take them grocery shopping, let them help with the meal planning, and even get them cooking with you. When they have a hand in creating their meals, it sparks their excitement and makes them more likely to dig and enjoy what they have cooked.
- Mix It Up with Some Surprises: Don't be afraid to introduce new foods alongside their all-time favorites. It might take a little patience, but sooner or later, your child will be ready to give those new flavors a try. Who knows, they might discover a new love for something they never thought they'd enjoy!
- Food is Art: Take mealtime to a new level by getting creative with how you present the food. Turn their plate into a canvas and make a dish that's so visually captivating they won't be able to resist taking a bite. From funny faces made out of veggies to colorful arrangements, let your imagination run wild!
- Lead by Example: Kids are little copycats, and that's a good thing when it comes to healthy eating. Show them how it's done by being a role model of nutritious eating. When they see you savoring a variety of wholesome foods, they're more likely to follow suit and develop those healthy habits themselves.
Getting your hand on the right baby mealtime accessories
Having the right mealtime accessories is a must to prepare for a stress-free and enjoyable baby mealtime. From playful designs that make your baby excited for mealtime to smart solutions that minimize mess, here are listed some must-have baby mealtime accessories that will make feeding a breeze for the parents.
- Little foodie set with smart divider
Kids love to have their own set of eating bowls and spoons. A little foodie set with a smart divider is a perfect collection of every feeding item needed for various food textures.
It is a must-have mealtime accessory as it makes the kids, especially picky eaters, more excited for their every meal. Moreover, it helps your little foodie to learn coordinating skills while reducing the extra work of cleaning for parents with minimal spillage.
Little foodie set with smart divider by Sohii is made with natural plant-based ingredients so that you can be sure of your baby's health and safety without a second thought.
- Long-sleeve coverall weaning bib
The easiest way for picky eaters to show their dislike towards the meal is by throwing the food or smashing the plate full of food with their hands. This creates another hour of cleaning tasks and a head full of frustration for parents. This frustration can have a negative impact on your kid.
Having your baby wear a coverall weaning bib can save you from this hassle and gives the little ones more freedom to be creative and comfortable with their meal. Opt for a full-sleeve coverall weaning bib with handi cutlery which doesn't let your kid throw their fork and spoon as they are attached to the wearable.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, make mealtime a joint venture with your little chef, surprise them with new flavors, turn food into art, and let them see you enjoying nutritious goodies. With these tricks up your sleeve, you'll be well on your way to conquering picky eating and nurturing healthy eaters in no time!
