TIPS FOR PICKY EATERS ● A Dietitian's Perspective

TIPS FOR PICKY EATERS // A dietitian's perspective
Picky eaters can be a tough challenge to crack.
Most parents feel it’s their responsibility to get their children to eat a large variety of foods, vegetables included.
So in this video, I’ll be sharing the approach I use to help picky eaters expand their palate while keeping mealtime stress to a minimum.
To check out the corresponding article to this video with more tips to help picky eaters enjoy a wider variety of foods: www.morethanjustveggies.com/t...
To check out the vegan meal planner that I personally use to plan balanced meals for my family: www.morethanjustveggies.com/r...
To check out my video on vegan meal ideas for kids: • VEGAN MEAL IDEAS FOR K...
- ❤︎
Alina Petre, MSc. RD.
MORE INFO | www.morethanjustveggies.com
VEGAN MEAL PLANNING COURSE | www.morethanjustveggies.com/m...
A DIETITIAN'S GUIDE TO VEGAN SUPPLEMENTS FOR KIDS | www.morethanjustveggies.com/r...

[@singajah]

I love ur video keep doing it

[@veggiesandmore]

Thanks!

[@anuke123]

Thank you for the video. I really believed in this approach like it was the gospel and we used it right from the start with our daughter. However, she is nów almost five and I routinely cook a separate meal for her. I think there are several factors (I didn't cook a lot when she was a toddler and had a nanny, she has a completely different menu at preschool than what we serve at home), but it started with her eating less and less at meals and then asking for a snack while refusing to eat leftovers from the previous meals. Either she would nag me for things she liked until I was so worn down that I gave in or I would simply forget to offer her her meal and serve her whatever she liked. I honestly don't know how to undo this now. I am also worried that she will set an example for her younger sister who is now almost 10 months old. *Sigh*

[@veggiesandmore]

Hi Anuke! I just responded to your comment on a previous video before seeing this comment! So I take it you've already seen this video then! :) Do you currently include at least 1-2 of your daughter's "safe foods" eat each meal? This should help ensure that she does eat something from the meals you provide, without you having to make a separate meal for her. I really empathize with the nagging. My child does it too! What I currently do with her is tell her that I understand that she'd like X, but that at the moment Y is what is being served. And then I let her know when she can expect to have X... for instance, at the next meal or snack. I personally find this really helps. I would encourage you to stand firm in your stance of not making a separate meal for your child. I'm sure you already know this, but giving in will only teach your daughter that she'll eventually get different foods as long as she complains for long enough. It's your responsibility as the parent to choose what is on the table, and hers to choose if she eats it. So she is allowed to not want to eat something, but that doesn't mean that you need to change the "what" right that moment! I also wouldn't worry about always offering leftovers from one meal at the next snack. I typically only offer leftovers from dinner as a pre-bedtime snack, if my daughter didn't eat anything at dinner but requests food before going to bed. If your snacks are well-balanced (i.e. contain the same type of nutrients your child may be getting from a meal), she should be getting the nutrients she needs regardless of the meal she eats. One thing you may try is incorporate some of the foods you typically serve as snacks into her meals. Perhaps these can be her "safe foods" for that meal? Will you let me know how it goes if you give these tips a try? I'd really love to hear about it. If you prefer to send me an email rather than leave a comment, feel free to do so. My contact details are in the video description above :)

[@angelapennington7527]

Thanks so much for posting this video. We’ve been playing our daughter’s favourite songs during meal times because it seems to help. Would that count as a distraction? (She’s 17 months).

[@veggiesandmore]

Hi Angela. You're welcome! Music during mealtimes can be a distraction for certain children, but this depends on the child, and perhaps also the volume / type of music that's being played. On the other hand, for some children, music right before mealtimes can become a ritual that signals that mealtime is about to start, making the transition from playing to eating easier. Like with most things, I think the best strategy is to test it out! Perhaps try starting playing her favorite songs as a way to signal mealtimes and slowly decrease their volume afterwards. Eventually, you can try turning the songs off completely while she eats to notice if that makes a difference in terms of her focus, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Hope this helps? And good luck! :)

[@analozanonorheim9466]

Thank you so much! I really loved it. Do you have any advice for a baby that doesn't even try the food but just throws it to the floor?

[@veggiesandmore]

Hi Ana. Glad you've found the video useful! I would suggest not stressing about it too much as this kind of behaior is a normal eating development. In time, your baby will eventually bring foods to their mouth and taste them. If, for some reason, they don't, shoot me an email so we can chat more in detail about what you can try. In the meantime, try giving your child only a small amount of food at a time, and a placing a washable mat or sheet under your child's seat or high chair can help with the cleanup 😆