PICKY EATING STRATEGIES

Dos

› Parents need to be role models when it comes to eating; children will generally get their food cues from their parents.

› Make food-related activities a fun, relaxed family affair, including grocery shopping, cooking and mealtimes.

› Have structured family eating times.

› Use window between 4 months and 2 years old to expose children to as many foods as possible.

› Continue to offer foods; studies show that it takes at least 10 times before a child will accept most foods.

› Teach child to say, “No, thank you” rather than “yuck.”

› Have child leave the table if he or she behaves badly.

› Pair unfamiliar with familiar food, not-yet-liked with liked food.

› Include one or two side dishes that the child ordinarily eats, such as bread, fruit or milk.

› Let child pick and choose from what you put on the table.