Monday Message - Picky Eaters

Did you know that being a picky eater is a natural state for your kids? Most kids outgrow this if their parents don't make a big deal over it! Read the full Kids Eat Right Article here.

What to Say to Encourage Picky Eaters

• Choose phrases that help point out the sensory qualities of food, like, "This kiwi fruit is sweet like strawberry." Or, "These radishes are very crunchy!" They encourage your child to try new foods.
• Avoid phrases that teach your child to eat for approval and love, like, "Eat that for me." Or, "If you do not eat one more bite, I will be mad." This can lead your child to have unhealthy behaviors, attitudes and beliefs about food and about themselves.
• Choose phrases that help your child recognize when he or she is full, like, "Is your stomach telling you that you're full?" "Is your stomach still making its hungry growling noise?" "Has your tummy had enough?" These statements can help prevent overeating.
• Avoid phrases that encourage kids to ignore signs of fullness, like, "You're such a big girl; you finished all your peas." "Look at your sister. She all of her bananas." Or, "You have to take one more bite before you leave the table."
• Choose phrases that make your child feel like he or she is making the choices, like, "Do you like that?" "Which one is your favorite?" Or, "Everyone likes different foods, don't they?" These statements shift the focus toward the taste of food rather than who was right.
• Avoid phrases that imply a child was wrong to refuse a food, like "See, that didn't taste so bad, did it?" These statements can lead to unhealthy attitudes about food or self.
• Choose phrases that comfort or reward you child with attention and kind words, like, "I am sorry you are sad. Come here and let me give you a big hug." Show love by spending time and having fun together.
• Avoid phrases that make some foods seem like a comfort, like, "Stop crying and I will give you a cookie." Getting a food treat when upset teaches you child to eat to feel better. This can cause overeating.
• Avoid phrases that make food seem like a reward or like they are better than other foods, such as, "No dessert until you eat your vegetables." A better way to encourage your child to keep trying vegetables might be, "We can try these vegetables again another time. Next time would you like to eat them raw instead of cooked?"

Adapted from MyPlate: Phrases That Help and Hinder poster