How to manage children who are picky eaters 

According to latest findings, more than half or 53 percent of Filipino mothers consider their children to be picky eaters. Many parents believe that their children’s picky eating habit is just a phase—something they will later outgrow. Thus, some of them don’t try that much to address the issue, usually giving in to the whims of their children.

 

Australian nutritionist-dietitian Kate Di Prima agreed with the parents—picky eating is just a phase called the “Diet Shift.” But, this stage can be dangerous especially when parents let their children pick unhealthy options, she warned. 

Picky eating can put the children at risk of nutritional deficiency that can lead to lowered immunity, anemia, recurring infections, and lifestyle illnesses like diabetes and heart disease when they get older. 

 

“The food habits that were laid down in early childhood can really set you up for a healthy adult,” she said at a media roundtable Thursday. 

 

During her presentation at the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines Diamond Convention in Manila Hotel, Di Prima identified the different kinds of picky eaters. 

 

 

Determining the picky eating style of a child can help parents and nutritionist-dietitians find a way to address the issue. 

 

Managing your little picky eater 

 

Having worked with different parents and their picky eaters, Di Prima shared her strategies on managing children who tend to be choosy with their food. 

 

1. Let them explore.

Instead of limiting the children by imposing strict rules on meals, the Australian nutritionist-dietitian said that it’s best to let them explore different kinds of food. 

 

“Cooking in front of your children and getting your children involved, they get to know [types of] food that are unfamiliar,” she suggested. 

 

Another strategy parents can do to broaden their palates is to introduce them to unfamiliar food together with food that they already know. 

 

“It’s not that they don’t love the food, sometimes it’s because they’ve never been exposed to it,” she said. 

 

Di Prima also said that parents should not give up on introducing new food to their children. Some parents give up after their children say no to a vegetable or fruit once or twice. 

 

“Children need to see the food 10 to 15 times before they recognize them as normal. But most parents give up after one or two times,” she said. 

2. Introduce complementary food early. 

Many parents also don't know what food children should take at a certain age. For example, parents should introduce complementary food (food other than milk) at six months. This is when blended food comes into the picture so the child can get used to something thicker than the milk, which can help in developing speech. 

 

“From there, you start to blend less and less and start to add chunks,” Di Prima said. 

 

And by the time a child reaches 12 months, he or she should be able to eat family meals.  

 

Moreover, sugar and salt, as well as discretionary food (junk food, soda, etc.) should be introduced only after 12 months. 

 

3. Set good examples. 

Di Prima also explained that the kids copy the adults in their life, the people the usually spend time with. So, she said that it’s important for the parents, caregivers, and other adults in a child’s life to set good examples. 

 

She also pointed out that fathers may have a greater influence in children’s lives than what’s usually perceived. 

 

"Dads may have more influence than we realize because they are the transient parent of the house and no matter what we do as moms, 'Dad's home,'" she said. 

 

Because of this, children tend to make their fathers as the role model. So when dad does not eat vegetables, most likely his children will follow suit. 

 

4. Minimize use of technology.

In this age of tablets and smartphones, it is unavoidable for the younger generation to be interested in these gadgets. Di Prima even observed that parents who go to her clinic for consultation usually give these sorts of devices to their children to keep them busy. 

 

Gadgets may be helpful in some situations, but they can be problematic for maintaining a child’s health. In fact, she said that children should meet the recommended three hours of physical activity everyday. But many of them have failed to do so because of technology. 

 

Diet can alter a child’s behavior 

 

Di Prima also said that nutrition and behavior are connected in some way. 

 

“When you find them arguing in the playground, they probably may have not the behavior you are looking for. But it could be because they are not just eating regularly enough… they may be a bit constipated,” she said. 

 

Moreover, if a child is too energetic, that may be because he or she ate too much sugar. 

 

To this, Di Prima once again reminded, “Let your children explore, expose them to food, shut down environmental influences (like television).” — VC, GMA News