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Mistakes That Sabatoge Healthy Eating

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How To Raise A Picky Eater

While being picky may come naturally to some, there are many children whose mastery of picky eating is mainly due to the fine efforts of their parents. Here are a few pointers on how to create (or avoid creating) a picky eater at your own dinner table.
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1. Tell them they won't like it

A sure way to ensure your child will never try a new food is to introduce it to them with an extra large helping of doubt. And who can blame them? Would you want to try something that you have been told will probably not taste good?

Remember, everyone has their own oppinions on what they enjoy eating. If you give them the opportunity to try something new without first prejudicing them against it, your child may enjoy many things you never dreamed possible. Otherwise, they will not only be limited by their own dislikes, but by yours as well.
Bread and Jam for Frances (I Can Read Book 2)

Bread and Jam for Frances (I Can Read Book 2)

by: Russell Hoban

Amazon Price: $1.68 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Francis doesn't like anything better than bread and jam. But a suprising thing happens when she convinces her mom to let her have it for every meal.

Clean Plate Policy

Should a child be required to finish everything on their plate?

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Yes. Waste not, want not.

No. Children shouldn't be forced to eat.

groovyoldlady says:

I voted "No", but that's really a "No, with qualifications".

Children should be given SMALL servings (in some cases VERY small - yes, 1 string bean) of everything available. No one should have to eat anything that makes them gag, but should otherwise eat the food that is offered without complaint. Then they can have seconds on the "yummy" stuff.

If we're having a particularly volatile meal like saurkraut or extra spicy enchiladas, I will allow a PB&J sandwich as a substitute.

 

2. Hide the veggies

I don't know how many times I have read some misguided author write about how to work more vitamins into a child diet by hiding vegtables in cookies, spaghetti, etc. While this may work miracles on a mother's guilty conscience, it won't do anything to help junior learn to eat what's good for him. Children learn to eat a variety of foods by being served a variety of foods, not by being served healthier versions of the same old junk.
D.W. the Picky Eater (D. W. Series)

D.W. the Picky Eater (D. W. Series)

by: Marc Brown

Amazon Price: $2.41 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

Yuck! DW hates new foods. That's why she gets left at home when the rest of the family goes out to eat. But when she tires of missing out on the fun, DW finds that she must take drastic measures. She must try something new.

3. Offer an Alternative

When faced with new and unfamilar foods, many children automatically assume they won't like it. If given a choice between a new casserole and peanut butter and jelly, they will naturally pick the old favorite. However, a single taste may be all it takes to introduce them to a new favorite.
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Agree? Disagree? Here's the place to voice your opinion:

  • groovyoldlady Sep 18, 2008 @ 1:21 pm | delete
    The books you've featured are two of our favorites!

    Maybe you can give us some books or websites that share ways to encourage children to try new things or how to prepare kid-friendly menus.

    ("Opinion" (above) has 1 P.)
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