7 tips for Fussy eaters
Food fussiness and children are a common combination, especially during the ages of 2-3 when the child’s senses start to develop. As a parent, you play an important role in how your child’s relationship with food develops. Here are 7 tips on how you can handle fussy eaters.
1. Make the fussy eater feel safe
Introduce the dish in a way that makes the child feel safe and comfortable.
2. Show respect!
To make the child feel more comfortable, ask for permission to add some vegetables to the plate, which in turn assures the child that they have their own will that the parents respect.
Remember! Sometimes the vegetables will remain untouched on the plate, and then you just have to try again at the next meal, and other times the child will take one or more bites, and then you can celebrate your successes.
3. Constant exposure
Over time and with constant exposure, the child should eat more and more of the food.
4. Lead by example!
Last but not least, it is important that you eat all of your food, preferably the food that the child in question finds difficult, as children love to imitate what adults do.
Pitfalls for you as a parent to consider regarding food fussiness and children!
5. Don´t force it
Over time and with constant exposure, the child should eat more and more of the food.
6. No rewards
Do not entice the child with dessert as a reward. Food fussiness is often linked to the psyche, and if a certain type of food is forced or a piece of chocolate is offered as a reward for eating broccoli, there is a great risk that the child will divide food into “good food” and “bad food” or “healthy food” and “unhealthy food”.
This can first and foremost lead to the child expecting a reward after every nutritious meal, which in itself is contradictory. Dividing food into good and bad can also lead to the child becoming even more negative towards food that it considers “bad” or “not tasty”.
7. POOW The Food Hero
In POOW’s nutrition game, barriers are broken down and the child gets to create a playful relationship with food. For example, the child can put together their own meal. Read more about the app here
To all you parents out there who are struggling with their fussy eaters, don’t give up! Remember that your frustration with food can be transferred to the child and make them anxious about food and meals. Therefore, it is important to focus on the child, create a pleasant situation, and work on it together, slowly and consistently. If you as parents feel that the fussiness never really goes away, despite your constant efforts, the child may have selective eating disorder, also known as ARFID, which is a restrictive eating disorder without fear. In such cases, it may be good to contact healthcare professionals and dietitians.
Updated 31-03-2023
By Philip Fransson
7 tips for Fussy eaters
Food fussiness and children are a common combination, especially during the ages of 2-3 when the child’s senses start to develop. As a parent, you play an important role in how your child’s relationship with food develops. Here are 7 tips on how you can handle fussy eaters.
1. Make the fussy eater feel safe
Introduce the dish in a way that makes the child feel safe and comfortable.
2. Show respect!
To make the child feel more comfortable, ask for permission to add some vegetables to the plate, which in turn assures the child that they have their own will that the parents respect.
Remember! Sometimes the vegetables will remain untouched on the plate, and then you just have to try again at the next meal, and other times the child will take one or more bites, and then you can celebrate your successes.
3. Constant exposure
Over time and with constant exposure, the child should eat more and more of the food.
4. Lead by example!
Last but not least, it is important that you eat all of your food, preferably the food that the child in question finds difficult, as children love to imitate what adults do.
Pitfalls for you as a parent to consider regarding food fussiness and children!
5. Don´t force it
Over time and with constant exposure, the child should eat more and more of the food.
6. No rewards
Do not entice the child with dessert as a reward. Food fussiness is often linked to the psyche, and if a certain type of food is forced or a piece of chocolate is offered as a reward for eating broccoli, there is a great risk that the child will divide food into “good food” and “bad food” or “healthy food” and “unhealthy food”.
This can first and foremost lead to the child expecting a reward after every nutritious meal, which in itself is contradictory. Dividing food into good and bad can also lead to the child becoming even more negative towards food that it considers “bad” or “not tasty”.
7. POOW The Food Hero
In POOW’s nutrition game, barriers are broken down and the child gets to create a playful relationship with food. For example, the child can put together their own meal. Read more about the app here
To all you parents out there who are struggling with their fussy eaters, don’t give up! Remember that your frustration with food can be transferred to the child and make them anxious about food and meals. Therefore, it is important to focus on the child, create a pleasant situation, and work on it together, slowly and consistently. If you as parents feel that the fussiness never really goes away, despite your constant efforts, the child may have selective eating disorder, also known as ARFID, which is a restrictive eating disorder without fear. In such cases, it may be good to contact healthcare professionals and dietitians.
Updated 31-03-2023
By Philip Fransson