I have a picky eater and I know how worrying and frustrating it can be. Casey is 10 and has not always been a picky eater, as a baby and toddler she was introduced to a large variety of foods and although she disliked some, the majority of tastes and foods she enjoyed.
Things began to change in the last 3 years, she has become somewhat of a nightmare at meal times. There is nothing wrong with her appetite to foods she does like, but there are so many she refuses to eat.
There is no coaxing her into trying foods either, no means no to her and she will become rather upset if she is pushed too much to eat more. The other 5 children eat a much larger variety of food.
Kids ‘programmed to be picky eaters
Children may be programmed to be fussy about their food, according to a study by British scientists.
They believe being picky about food is an evolutionary trait, designed to protect them from harm.
The scientists from Cancer Research UK based their findings on a study of 564 mothers with young children.
They found children were generally fussy about the same foods – green vegetables, meat and fruit, which historically were the most dangerous.
In early human history, the presence of toxins within many plants made eating fruit and vegetables risky for children, while meat carried a high risk of food poisoning. (BBC News)
Children’s Food Expert Annabel Karmel Says;
Peas, mince, even the humble onion – there are some foods that most kids flat out refuse to eat.
- Linking new foods to old favourites often works. If they like pesto pasta, add peas or chopped spinach to it.
- Cutting food into shapes and making up funny names can work for younger kids.
- Get the kids to help prepare and chop the vegetables as they’re more likely to eat them.
- Add more veg to dishes the children already like. Add a few extra vegetables to a pizza or a chicken stew and it might just vanish!
Picky Eaters View more lists from emma whitePicky Eating; Should You Give In To Your Child?
I admit that I have. When you are trying to prepare meals and you know a child dislikes something it’s so easy to just plate up something they do like. I have stopped trying to get her to try new foods. I am not even sure that all the foods she says she dislikes she has even tried.
There have been times I have served up a family meal, to have to make her something else. I have given in to her picky eating because I would rather know that she has at least eaten something.
While we tuck into a casserole she would rather have a ham sandwich or a bowl of soup, am I wrong to think as long as she is eating something, it’s better than going to bed hungry.
Is it right to force a child to eat food they say they do not like?
I would love to hear your own views on picky eating and should you give in to your child?
