Your Picky Eater Can Eat Healthy

Here is how to get your picky eater to eat vegetables and fruits. The easiest way to get your child to eat their vegetables and fruits is to start early. This is because the eating habits a person has will start when they are toddlers.

The pattern that a child will learn to eat from is what their parents set for them. As parents, we tend to give in to the chicken nuggets and fries because “Hey, they are eating something”. That is true, however even if it is past the toddler age, and you have a picky eater on your hands, there are still ways to change their eating habits.

We are all supposed to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This seems a bit much, however for a healthy body and digestive system, this is what is necessary. It is important to try to get these fruits and vegetables into your child’s life as soon as possible.

These habits are changed a little at a time. Here are some tips to make this change easier.

Tip #1

Introduce new foods at least twice a week. If there are not many fruits and vegetables currently in your child’s diet, then the new foods should be those. Simply add that new food with the normal eating patterns they already have.

For example: At many fast food restaurants, they are currently serving slices apples instead of fries. This is a great place to switch to the fruit from the fat of french fries.

Instead of potato chips with that sandwich, how about an orange, or carrot sticks?

Tip #2

Lead by example. This is big for kids. They want to be like their mom and dad. If you eat the fruits and vegetables with them, they are more likely to try the new items, and enjoy them more.

Tip #3

Start with the One Bite Rule! This seems much less intimidating to children. If they like it, then they will eat more voluntarily. This usually works out better in the long run because the child will be more willing to at least taste the food they get.

Tip #4

Do not force a child to eat what they do not like. This will only become a headache for you, and a distaste of trying new things for your child. Give the child several options of healthy food, including fruits and vegetables at each meal. This way they will be able to choose the right foods.

Tip #5

Try not to give in to the wants of chips, candy, and goodies around meal times. This also includes meal times. The reason is that if they have a choice to eat junk food, they probably will. This is especially true if that has been their pattern in the past.

Tip #6

When you are buying the foods you will want your child to eat, let them help you pick out the fruits and vegetables they want. This is a good way to see what they like so it will be easier to get them to eat it.

Tip #7

Make it bite size and appealing. Kids love bite size food. If it is melon you are trying to get your kids to eat, make melon balls. They will go fast. Carrot sticks with peanut butter goes much faster than just plain carrots.

Tip #8

Take a taste test. This is a fun way to get to know what your child likes. They have a good time seeing what you like, and you see what they will eat. Then you can use this information to help your child eat healthier.

Hopefully these tips will make it easier for you to get your picky eater to eat their vegetables and fruits. Remember the time to start is now. Find what makes your child happy to eat the vegetables and go with it.