Do you have a picky eater at home? Here are some simple tips that may help:

Top 10 tips for picky eating:

  1. Try to follow a set eating schedule – kids do well on routine! Rule of thumb is 3 meals a day and 2-3 snacks a day in between meals.
  2. Offer one safe food at each meal – bread, butter noodles, rice, potatoes.
  3. Offer new foods on a separate plate.
  4. Model the behavior you want for your child – if you want them to eat broccoli, show them that you also eat that food.
  5. Get your kids involved in the kitchen – having your child set the table, chop veggies or help decide what to have for dinner can greatly increase their food intake.
  6. Offer fun dips with new vegetables – salsa, cheese sauce, ranch dip, hummus.
  7. Avoid distractions at meals – eat meals at the table and without screens.
  8. If your child doesn’t want to eat, don’t force them! Trust that they will eat more at the next meal.
  9. Offer new foods in different ways – e.g. corn on the cob, popcorn, corn salsa, creamed corn.
  10. Avoid making a separate meal for your child, they can choose between which foods are being served at that meal.

Reminder – as the parent, you are responsible for WHAT, WHEN and WHERE your child eats, but it is up to your kid WHETHER and HOW MUCH they eat. Take some pressure off of yourself!

If you want more information about any of these ideas, and you are a patient of an NFHT affiliated doctor, then you can self-refer to book an appointment with one of our dietitians. Call 289-252-2139 or book online by clicking here.