Does your child refuse to eat certain foods because of its color or texture, or, even, no reason at all? Not to worry. It is quite common for children ages 2-5 and is temporary. As long as he or she is growing and has plenty of energy, they are most likely eating enough to be healthy. If you have concerns, talk to your child’s doctor.
Here are some tips to help with your child’s selective eating behaviors.
*Let your child pick out fruits and vegetables at the store.
*Have your child help you prepare meals. This helps them to learn about food and get excited about tasting the food they helped prepare. They can help with adding ingredients, scrubbing veggies and stirring—keeping safety in mind, of course.
*Offer them choices--“Which would you like for dinner, broccoli or cauliflower?”
*Eat together as a family. Talk about fun and happy things to help them associate positive attitudes toward food.
*Offer the same foods for the whole family. Don’t be a “short-order cook” by making a different meal for your child.
*Try new foods by:
1. Introducing new foods in small portions and have them try foods you enjoy. It may take some patience and multiple offerings to get them to try it. As they develop a taste for new foods, it will make it easier to plan meals for the whole family.
2. Offer only one new food at a time and serve something that you know your child likes along with the new food. Offering multiple new foods all at once could be too overwhelming for them.
3. Be a good role model by trying new foods yourself. It may help to describe the taste, texture and smell of the new food to your child.
4. Offer new foods at the beginning of the meal because they are most hungry at the start of a meal.
*Make food fun by getting creative in the kitchen with the following ideas:
1. Cut food into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters.
2. Encourage your child to invent and help prepare new snacks.
3. Name a food your child helps create. Make a big deal serving “Sam’s Salad” or “Katie’s Kale and Karrots” during the family meal.
More tips and information are available at ChooseMyplate.gov/preschoolers/.
Follow us on Facebook @ChouteauCountyExtension to keep up to date on what is happening in Chouteau County Extension and 4-H.
Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.
Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
