Tips for Dealing with Picky Eaters

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CLEVELAND - Whether it’s the taste of broccoli, texture of mom’s meatloaf, or not wanting to drink milk, kids can be pretty picky about their food and drinks.

But, why is that?

“It typically starts early in toddlerhood, and at that age, it really kind of comes because kids are finding their independence; a lot of times it's behavioral. It's not always 100% because of the food,” explained Jennifer Hyland, RD, registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “They’re also experiencing different textures, different flavors. Things don't taste the same every single time they eat them. So, it can be common for kids to become picky.”

Hyland said other factors could be playing a role too, like maybe they had a bad day at school and don’t have much of an appetite, they’re having issues swallowing, or get an upset stomach after they eat.

She said it’s important to notice any patterns and try to get to the root of the issue, which may include talking to their pediatrician.

So, what can parents do to help their picky eaters?

She recommends being consistent with mealtimes and expectations, serving at least one food you know they like, and trying to make fruits and vegetables fun.

It can also help to include them in the cooking process.

If you are going to serve them something new, Hyland suggests giving them a smaller portion so it’s less intimidating.

“Some other things that you can work towards is repetition. So oftentimes I hear parents say, ‘My kid doesn't like X food,’ so they never serve it again. It takes a lot of exposures for kids to learn to like something. And if they're not given the opportunity, they never have a chance to even learn to like something. So even if you feel like your kid does not like green beans, please continue to offer green beans,” she said.

Hyland cautions parents against force feeding.

If your child doesn’t like a certain food, don’t try to make them eat it or sit at the table until they finish their plate.

This can cause unnecessary stress and could lead to an argument.