April 1, 2021

Picky Eaters Tips and Tricks

by Nurse Kandy Fielo, Three Chopt school

The staff at LeafSpring is excited to welcome Chef Daniel as he gets settled into life in the kitchen.  New items will be introduced gradually, but already he has added some new flavors and new items on the menu as well as some less-processed options.  As many parents have experienced, young children can be picky eaters and reluctant to try new foods. The Mayo Clinic offers information and ideas to encourage children to be healthy eaters. Some of the ideas include talking about food’s color, shape, aroma, and texture rather than “it tastes good.”

When a child asks for a snack or treat, ask them what made them think about eating at that moment. Did they just see a commercial for something tasty? Are they bored? Are they actually hungry for nutritious food? Have they eaten enough protein to supplement their carbohydrate intake?  Have they had enough water to drink?  Sometimes thirst for water can feel like hunger.

Consider that children’s growth slows down after age 2 and their appetite might be reduced.  Children’s appetites might vary day to day, based upon their physical activity, their schedule variations and their other interests each day. Instead of looking at their daily eating patterns, look at their pattern for a week at time for a more balanced picture of their eating habits.  One measure of growth over time is if they are outgrowing their clothes as the seasons change.  If you have concerns, talk to their pediatrician about any issues that you are noticing.

Another suggestion to improve children’s eating habits is to involve them in the meal planning and preparation.  They can suggest what menu items to cook and help make the shopping list, contribute to meal preparation by washing fruits and vegetables, pouring and stirring mixtures, measuring ingredients or counting how many cups or spoons full to add to a recipe.  Children may be more likely to eat what is served if they get to choose what to cook or serve and participate in the preparation.

Gardening activities are another way to encourage children to expand their eating variety. Here at LeafSpring, older children in our Village program and Camp Blue Sky will have the opportunity to participate in our backyard gardening option this spring and summer. Nurse Kelly will help in planning and growing some vegetables and herbs which might help children get interested in trying new foods.  It is our hope that our children develop lifelong healthy eating patterns and healthy attitudes about food. They learn from observing us.