Having a child who is a picky eater can be difficult, as it makes it hard for them to get the right vitamins and minerals they need to grow!
“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. 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.”
Jennifer Hyland, RD, registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
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Jennifer Hyland, a registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, said there can be various reasons for a child to be a picky eater. It can be something as simple as a bad day at school causing them to have a bad appetite, or something deeper, like getting an upset stomach after eating.
Hyland recommends giving kids at least one food you know they like, and then serving more adventurous dishes (likely fruits and vegetables) on the side. It’s also good to involve your child in the cooking process, as it may make some foods seem less “gross” to them.
“Some other things that you can work towards is repetition. So oftentimes I hear parents say, ‘My kiddoesn’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.”
Jennifer Hyland, RD, registered dietitian for Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
The doctor also stated to avoid force-feeding certain foods to kids, as this may result in them not liking it even more, and could result in stress for both you and your child.