Eating out
Having a meal away from
home may not be the treat for a small child that it is for an adult. If
you are going on a car trip, consider taking familiar and child-friendly
foods with you. If a stop-off is easier, do not plan a long meal. It
will be very tiring for your toddler.
Introducing new foods
Try alternating a small
quantity of a new food that he is resisting with a “treat” of something
that he loves, such as sliced banana or soft cheese—or even chocolate
kisses! The idea is that you are creating a positive association
between the new and unfamiliar foods: “I like that food, therefore I
may like this new one.” If his food range is extremely limited (for
example, to bread, baked beans, and chocolate kisses), do not worry
about introducing bizarre food combinations. Giving your toddler a a
chocolate kiss immediately after he has tried a piece of carrot or
chicken may seem weird to you, but it will be a treat for him—and will
send a message of familiarity and comfort to your fearful child. Once he
is happy with the new foods, gradually phase out the treats.
Food games
If your child has fears
associated with trying foods, show him that food can be fun. Children
who have no issues with food will find these activities fun, too, so
there is no need to draw attention to one particular child.
Have a messy food picnic
Jelly, cream, ketchup, rice
pudding—you name it; provided it is not hot, it can be smeared on your
toddler’s nose, or face, or smeared with the hands, like finger paints.
The more odd the food combinations, the better. If your toddler seems
nervous or distressed, calm him, smile and show him that you are
comfortable with the mess. With your encouragement, he may then follow
your lead.
Have a new food race
Set up two sets of very
small quantities of new foods in a row on a table. Keep each food
covered. On the shout of “Go” your toddler and another child or an adult
tastes each food in turn. Reward your toddler with a very small
quantity of something that he likes each time he tries the new food.
(These tactics are an effective short-term tool in this extreme
situation, in order to build up positive food associations.) When he
reaches the end of the course, provided he has licked, touched, or tried
each of the foods, he can have a suitable “prize.”
Being positive
The more positive
and encouraging you can be about food, the more relaxed your toddler is
likely to be about eating. Involve him in food preparation from an early
age so that he accepts it as a normal part of everyday life. If you
know you have had problems related to food—such as a history of extreme
dieting or an eating disorder, get help from your doctor or a
nutritionist so that you can be sure that both you and your child are
eating well. This will also help to reduce the level of anxiety that
exists around food in your home.
Top tips for easy mealtimes:
Encourage self-feeding.
Create a balanced diet.
Introduce healthy eating habits.
Introduce variety slowly.
Be patient and relaxed about food.
Praise your toddler when he does well.
Keep eating and mealtimes social and fun.
Picnic time
A lot of mealtime problems stem from things being rushed and
stressful. A picnic is a great way to enjoy food with your toddler in a
relaxed environment.
Overcoming problems
If you have real anxieties
about your child and his eating habits, make a note of your concerns
over a period of a few weeks and keep a food diary—noting
all you can about the amount and times that your toddler eats, and the
types of food and drink he likes and dislikes. It will help your
pediatrician ascertain whether the problem relates to the food, an
allergy, the eating routine, or a more deep-seated family problem. If
your child has an extreme food phobia (see A balanced diet), see your pediatrician and ask for specialized help. You may need support to overcome it.
Finally—don’t forget to
praise the “good” and ignore the “bad” at mealtimes. The more you can
encourage your toddler to have good feelings about food, or simply to
accept it as a straightforward part of the day, the healthier he will
be.
A balanced diet
You don’t have to spend a
fortune on food to raise a healthy child, but avoiding junk food is
advisable. Steer clear of foods containing unsaturated fats and refined
sugar (it has no nutritional value and may contribute to disruptive
behavior), and limit salt intake.
Include foods from these food groups daily for a nutritious diet:
Milk and dairy foods.
Meat, fish, eggs, beans, peas, and lentils.
Bread, rice, pasta, grains, and starchy vegetables.
Plenty of fruit and vegetables.
Toddlers have very
small stomachs and small appetites, too. It is therefore very important
that what they eat is as nutritious as possible.
Don’t consider giving your toddler low-fat milk until he is two years old. Skim milk is not suitable at this age.
How to keep a food diary
If you are concerned
about your toddler’s diet, then keeping track of what he eats, and when,
will help you spot if he is getting a balanced diet
and whether he has been snacking between meals or filling up on
liquids. The list does not have to be scientifically precise to give you
a clear picture of your child’s eating habits. If necessary, cut down
on and substitute heavy or sugary foods for healthy portions of fruit
and raw vegetables. Don’t forget that liquids are filling, too.
Simply create a new page for each day of the week and keep a list of:
Does your child have a food phobia?
Toddlers are commonly
neophobic, which means that they are instinctively nervous or scared of
anything that is unfamiliar. In the case of eating, each new food,
flavor, and texture is a new and sometimes daunting experience for a
phobic toddler.
If the answer to several
of these questions is yes, then your toddler may have developed a food
phobia. He will need help to overcome his fears and to understand that
food and eating can be fun.
Is your child uncomfortable with any kind of mess?
Does he hate to touch anything wet or slimy?
Will eat only foods that are dry and crispy?
Do you take pride in having a very clean and tidy house?
Do you have you any history of personal issues around food?
