The first step is identifying picky eater behavior.
-Throws or hides food
-Complains about or pushes food around on the plate
-Refuses or complains about certain foods (i.e., vegetables or meats)
-May develop "pickiness" from the start or develop it later on (i.e., could be a great eater initially and then become picky)
The next step is to understand why the picky eater behavior may be occurring. Children may be:
-Testing their power within the family
-Asserting their independence and autonomy
-Expressing their dislike of the color, texture or taste of certain foods (i.e., bitterness)
-Avoiding large pieces of food that may cause gagging
-Overwhelmed by new foods (especially toddlers); at this stage, they like repetition and familiarity which provides a sense of security
-Responding negatively to pressure (i.e., including at the dinner table)
Enjoying the control they assume they have when begged to eat foods they dislike
Finally, once parents are able to identify picky eater behavior and have a better understanding of why it is occurring, it is important to respond to it productively.
-Choose your battles! Keep mealtimes positive.
-Serve small portions, as well as food that can be easily picked up.
-Substitute fruits for vegetables or vice versa.
-Provide several dishes to choose from at meal time, and allow children to select their own foods (provide at least one dish that everyone likes).
-Allow occasional substitutions (i.e., cereal or a sandwich).
-Respect strong food aversions, and allow a decline of a specific food, but do not allow complaining about the disliked food.
Avoid discussing what a child eats in their presence and do not praise appropriate eating behavior. Do not use bribes or rewards for meeting your eating expectations; children should eat to satisfy their hunger and not to please adults.
Set a good example; children watch adults' eating habits closely.
Make faces with food (i.e., use fruit and veggies to create a face on a plate).
Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes in the center of a sandwich, or use larger cutters to make the entire sandwich a fun shape!
Involve children in the meal time preparation; they are more likely to eat if they are allowed to help (i.e., tear lettuce, snap green beans or assist with pouring or measuring).
Let children "choreograph" their own meal (i.e., let them decide where food is placed on their plate).
Conduct "taste-tests" at home and help children identify healthy foods.
In addition to the suggestions above, it is important for parents to alter their beliefs in some mealtime rules that were imposed on them as children. First and foremost, do not force a child to eat or stay at the table after a meal to "clean" their plate. This may cause unpleasant associations with meal time. When asking your child to try a new food, understand that tastes are acquired and that it may take at least ten times of viewing another person eating a specific food before the child is willing to try it, and it may take another ten times of trying the new food before they decide if they like it. So be patient-this process could take a few months. Lastly, allow a child to have one serving of dessert, even if they do not "clean" their plate (i.e., dessert could be fruits, not just sweets), because food should not be a reward.
Ellen Satter, MS, RD, LCSW, BCD recommends that the parent is responsible for what, when and where a child eats, and the child is responsible for how much and whether they eat. Picky eater behavior in some instances can be the result of a health issue. It is recommended that you contact your physician if you notice your child losing weight, gagging or vomiting on certain foods, and if you have other questions or concerns.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/5/89977