How to keep your picky eater healthy in five easy steps? You are saying “Yeah right!”. That is what I thought also, however it works. Our children start to eat what they are willing to eat for the rest of their life, as a toddler. This is the time to get their healthy eating habits started from the beginning.
If the child in question is older than a toddler, then the pattern of how they will eat is likely a habit. Now it is up to you to help your child learn to eat healthier. However, that is sometimes more easily said than done.
In order to keep your picky eater healthy, it will be necessary to bring the five food groups into their diet a little at a time. The reason it is possible, is that there are so many options available. There is bound to be something your child will eat. Start with these steps, and see if it becomes easier to help keep your child eating healthier.
Step # 1: Eliminate treats and snacks that are not healthy. Instead of a chocolate bar, try a banana. If a child is hungry, they tend to eat a wider variety of options. Sugar is addictive, and it will need to be removed slowly. Cut out as much of the artificial sugary foods as possible.
When you are making a meal, have several healthy options available. Do not let the child bring their ideas of what to eat to the meal. If they do not like the mixed vegetables, then they may like the salad. If you have the option for the unhealthy food available, the child will choose that, because that is what they are used to.
Step # 2: Find out what your child likes. Try a taste test. This is a fun way to get your child to try a few new foods. This can be done with one bite at a time. Then when you know what your child will eat, it is time to make your grocery list around that.
Some common healthier foods a child will eat are:
Bananas
Apple slices
Carrot sticks
Grapes
Melon
Lettuce
Corn
Meat
Cheese
Crackers
Step # 3: The best part about all this is that other than the meat, it is easy to make these foods finger foods. Children love foods they can eat with their fingers. This means no butter, no fat, just good fresh foods.
Keeping everything bite size will make it easier for the children to control their own world. That is why potato chips, chicken nuggets, and candy are so appealing. Kids can use their hands to control their food.
Step # 4: Bring at least two new healthy foods into your child’s diet each week. This can be any healthy food. The child may or may not like the new food. However introduce the One Bite rule so that the child will be more willing to try new foods without being forced. They know after a couple times that they can try the new food in one bite.
Step # 5: The last step is probably the most important. Show your child how to eat healthier by eating healthier yourself. Make it fun for you and your child to find healthier ways to eat and enjoy healthy foods.
These five steps should help jumpstart your child and keep your picky eater healthy. It all starts with little steps and then, five a day of veggies and fruits, some dairy, meat and grains and your child is on their way to a better future.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to