As a parent, you want to provide the best for your children, and that includes healthy, preservative free foods. Unfortunately, not every child appreciates those efforts. Having a picky eater in your family can be frustrating, especially if mealtimes have become a battle.
The good news is that most children do eventually grow out of their picky phase. Until that happens, it helps to know why your child is a picky eater and what you can do to ensure your little one gets proper nutrition. These five reasons may explain why your child is so fussy with food.
Texture Sensitivity
Some children, especially younger ones, may have heightened sensory sensitivity to sounds, smells, flavors, and textures. They may not like the way certain foods feel in their mouths or have an aversion to spicy, bitter, or sour foods. Vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can all fall into this range of textures and flavors that can cause your toddler stress. You may need to introduce new foods slowly and serve them at least ten times to help your child adjust to them.
Modeling Behavior
Were you a picky eater as a child? Do you still avoid certain foods because you don’t like them? Young kids mimic what they see their parents do, from saying certain words to eating only foods they like. There may even be a genetic component to pickiness. That means if you were a demanding eater as a child, your little one might take after you.
Slowing Growth
Infants grow at a remarkable rate, but once they become toddlers, their nutritional needs are not as demanding. Once little ones become mobile, they may have a decreased appetite or only want to eat every other day. If that sounds like your child, you may continue to offer the best infant vitamin d drops or other natural supplements to compensate for the lack of food intake.
Limited Treats
Here is a good piece of advice for parents of picky eaters: It is not what they eat, but what you feed them. If most meals end with a dessert or snacks consist of salty, sugary packaged foods, your child can develop a preference for those less nutrient-dense foods. Instead of stocking up on prepackaged snacks or stopping for a fast food dinner after a busy day, stock your home with healthier choices like this formula from Serenity Kids. It is much easier to get a child to choose between an apple and a banana if there aren’t chips lurking in the pantry.
Physical Concerns
Sometimes, a picky eater is trying to communicate an underlying issue. Medical conditions such as allergies, reflux, or constipation may make a child uncomfortable when or after eating. Toddlers do not always have the communication skills to explain why they do not want to eat. If you suspect your child’s disinterest in food may be due to something else, talk to your pediatrician about your worry.
Hopefully, with a bit of patience and consistency, your family can work through a picky eater phase. Try to involve your children in grocery shopping and food preparation to get them more interested in eating a variety of healthy options.