Many parents struggle to feed children who are picky eaters. Some of these children have a dislike for specific foods; mostly vegetables and legumes and others are just poor feeders who struggle to swallow any particular type of food and will mostly end up consuming very little. Others are too selective that they completely refuse to eat any other food apart from what they like.

Some children are naturally predisposed to becoming picky eaters and are more anxious when presented with new foods. This can occur at any age from six  months to around two years.

Depending on how the child is treated during feeding time, this problem can subside as the child grows older or can remain with the child up to adulthood.

After introducing solids at six months, the quantity and texture of food should change gradually to meet the nutrient requirements at different ages, and also to allow for the proper development of oral motor skills.

Feeding a child on blended or pureed foods for a long time makes them lack exposure to lumpy whole foods. This may delay development of some of the oral motor skills like chewing or manipulating food in the mouth which may make children gag or choke, increasing their fear of solid foods. Such children tolerate liquids and semi-solid foods better than solids. Children, especially those below the age of two, learn through observation and emulation. They pick habits practiced by those they see as authority figures. They will often model the eating habits of their parents or caregivers. If their parents are picky eaters, the children are likely to pick the same habit.

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CREATE A CRAVING

Many times parents and caregivers forcefully feed children even when not hungry or when they do not want to eat some particular foods. If a child associates meal times with trouble or thinks they will get in trouble for not eating a particular food, they start associating that food with getting in trouble. With time, subconsciously, they shy away from those particular foods because they give them unhappy memories.

Children who are often fed on highly processed and refined foods may get addicted to the chemicals used in these foods. Artificial flavours, preservatives and other additives may create a craving that can only be satisfied by consuming more of a particular food. If such a food is made available, the child will definitely choose it over a healthier option. Foods that may not have such chemicals will often be rejected since they do not trigger the same stimulatory responses to satisfy the craving.

Underlying health problems can also make a child seem like a picky eater. Zinc deficiency can alter the sense of smell and taste making many foods taste or smell bad or bland. If a child has zinc deficiency their sense of smell and taste is reduced making them not want to eat specific foods.

A parent’s or caregiver’s reaction to a picky eater during feeding time can make the situation better or worse. Parents can put in measures to gradually deal with picky eaters.

Getting creative with taste, texture and visual presentation during meals can greatly help  children improve their eating habits. Find out what natural seasonings your child likes and add them to most of their meals. If your child does not like vegetables, get creative and incorporate them in their meals in an attractive way. Avoid mixing everything in one pot. Cook food separately to improve on presentation. A picky eater will judge the food first by what they see. Serving steamed rice, red beans and coloured vegetables on a white plate would look more appetizing that serving the same food, mixed together in a black plate.

Help your child associate fun and good memories with meal times or foods they don’t like. Avoid pressuring or upsetting the child too much when trying to feed them. This only makes the situation worse. If a child refuses to feed or say they are full , let them be. Don’t force them but try again after some time. It is also important not to introduce many foods at ago as the different flavours can confuse the child. Avoid giving your child too much processed foods to minimise the risk of addiction to chemicals used in these foods. Give more of whole unprocessed foods right from introduction of solids at six months. If the child is already used to these foods, start gradually introducing healthier foods alongside their usual foods in their diet.

Finally, start involving your children in preparation of their food. As you prepare the food together, talk to them about the importance of eating those specific foods they don’t like in a language they can best understand. They will own the food better if they had a hand In preparing it.