Fussy Eaters
Should I be worried about my child's fussy eating habits?
Many children go through a phase of not eating well. In fact, a recent study of 10,000 children reported that as many as one third were "difficult to feed" at times. Some refuse to eat a particular group of foods such as vegetables or meat, while others will happily eat a small range of foods over and over again.
All parents worry when their child refuses food but fussy or "faddy" eating is now recognised as a normal part of a child's development. So although it may be a very difficult and worrying time for parents, rest assured that it is common, normal behaviour and it will pass. However, there are some steps you can take to encourage your child to return to normal eating habits and ensure that he or she is not missing out on essential nutrients.
What could be causing this fad?
For some children, periods of fussy eating often follow an illness such as an infection or stomach bug; often, a child's appetite for solid foods does not return to normal for some time afterwards. For other children, food refusal is their way of exerting their independence or commanding attention. For example the faddy phase may coincide with the arrival of a new sibling.
Take note of when your child started refusing certain foods and consider any underlying factors that may have caused it. If you feel it is your child's way of commanding attention or asserting their independence it may be a good idea to let them choose one of their favourite snacks or desserts such as rice krispie buns or ice-cream and jelly and involve them in the cooking process.
There is no doubt that having a fussy eater on your hands is very challenging but there are simple steps you can take to make things easier for you and your child.
How should I tackle it?
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Do
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Don't
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Limit your child's milk intake to 1 pint/day.
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Allow your child to fill up on milk, juice or fizzy drinks either before or at meals.
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Leave the drink to the end of a meal.
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Allow your child to drink water when thirsty.
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Offer an alternative when a meal is refused.
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Make a fuss when a meal is refused.
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Give excessive praise when meals are eaten.
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Offer new and previously refused foods every few days.
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Assume if it is refused today it will be refused for life.
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Make fun food when time allows eg milk shakes, banana splits, chocolate rice krispie buns, frozen yoghurt, ice lollies.
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Involve your children in baking cakes and biscuits at weekends.
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Keep a list of the foods your child will eat and add the new foods in a ceremonious fashion.
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Allow your frustration to become obvious.
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Buy individually wrapped foods such as breakfast cereals, yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, crackers and fruit juice are some suggestions. These brightly coloured small packets are very appealing to small children.
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Reading a story at meal times can serve as a distraction so your child "forgets" about his/her food fad. However, It is not a good habit to allow children to eat watching television as a distraction tool.
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Remember, children's appetites vary. Some children are not hungry first thing in the morning and so the daily food battle begins bright and early in some homes. Instead of pleading with them to eat as the morning rush is in full swing, try to go along with your child's preferences and offer a snack/breakfast an hour later. (This can easily be arranged with the person who is minding your child if this is relevant to your situation.)
Children's appetites vary greatly so do not worry if they refuse to eat heartily on any one particular day. There will always be good days and bad days and they will make up for the days of low energy intake later. Offer them the foods you know they like but avoid sweets and chocolate.
Nutrition tricks and tips
The following foods are very high in energy and can be a useful way of topping up your child's energy levels occasionally.
• McDonald's burgers/chicken nuggets and chips (as a treat).
• Twice buttered toast.
• French toast.
• Ice cream and jelly.
• Milk shakes.
• Drinking chocolate.
Some examples of nutritious snack meals include:
• Beans on toast.
• Cheese on toast.
• Mashed banana and custard.
• Cheese and crackers.
• Muffin.
• Scone.
• Bite size pieces of fruit.
• Yoghurt.
• Fromage frais.
Remember, all food has some nutrition to offer and although adults are advised to limit their fat intake, this advice does not apply to children. Children have the ability to burn fat more effectively than adults and fat is an important source of energy for all children. So, for example, even if you prefer drinking low fat milk, buy some whole milk for your child. Avoid giving them low-fat or reduced fat foods until the faddy phase has passed and until they are over 5 years of age.
Does my child need a vitamin supplement?
When their child will accept only a limited range of foods, parents naturally become worried that he/she may be missing out on important vitamins and minerals and the question is often asked "Does my child need a supplement?" If the faddy phase continues for a longer than three or four months and if your child's diet is very limited, it is a good idea to give them a multivitamin supplement with iron. Before you buy one, ask for advice from your pharmacist as not all supplements are suitable for children and many do not contain iron.
If you are concerned about your child's health, you should also seek the advice of a dietician or GP. They will be able to check your child's growth rate and help reassure you that despite their poor diet, they are still managing to grow well. A dietician will also be able to tailor a diet specific to your child's food preferences and needs. To find a dietician in your area go to www.indi.ie
Should I be worried about my child's fussy eating habits?
• What could be causing this fad?
• How should I tackle it?
• Nutrition tips and tricks
• Does my child need a vitamin supplement?
Written by
Ireland's leading Early Years education Magazine
