| If you have a picky eater, mealtime can make | | | | Usually, adults are the only ones who like |
| you feel like you want to pull your hair out. | | | | halibut." Guess what may just become Jamies |
| It is very frustrating for parents to watch | | | | new favorite food? |
| their child only fiddle with their food at | | | | |
| dinner or not even touch it, claiming they | | | | TIP: PROVIDE VARIOUS CHOICES AROUND MEALTIME. |
| "dont like it. Then what happens? Thirty | | | | Would you rather sit by me or by mommy? You |
| minutes later guess who is hungry? You | | | | can eat with a fork or a spoon which would |
| guessed it. Your little picky eater. | | | | you prefer? Do you think you will need more |
| | | | potatoes or is that enough? Have as much as |
| Jamies mother was concerned about Jamie's | | | | you think you will need to make it to dinner. |
| lack of interest in food. She stated, Jamie | | | | Milk or juice? Should we eat at 7:00 or 7:30? |
| never wants to eat anything I fix for dinner. | | | | |
| What can I do to encourage Jamie to eat the | | | | TIP: BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL. You know dear, |
| meals that I have prepared? I came up with | | | | although spaghetti is not my favorite, I will |
| the following ten tips for her. You may find | | | | eat it because I know how hard you worked to |
| them useful as well. | | | | make it. |
| | | | |
| TIP: INVOLVE JAMIE. You could have Jamie help | | | | TIP: EXPOSURE. Encourage Jamie to try a |
| with planning the menu or meal preparation. | | | | variety of foods early on in her life before |
| Kids are less likely to turn up their nose at | | | | she knows any different. Some children may |
| something, they had a hand in. | | | | have never thought liver was gross if it |
| | | | hadnt been for what someone else had set |
| TIP: PLACE A LIMIT ON JAMIE. Perhaps Jamie is | | | | their expectation to be. |
| playing with her food at dinner and not real | | | | |
| interested in eating it. Mom say's, Jamie, I | | | | TIP: PROVIDE SOME FLEXIBILITY. Let's remember |
| will be serving breakfast at 7:00 a.m. try to | | | | there are some foods that certain children |
| eat enough to make it to then. You decide how | | | | just can not stomach. If Jamie has a problem |
| much you will need. Oh! We will be clearing | | | | with spinach but it is part of that |
| the table in _____ minutes. | | | | particular meal, try to have other items that |
| | | | she can get her fill up on once everyone has |
| When Jamie comes to you later that evening | | | | their share. However, this should be the |
| complaining of being hungry. With an | | | | exception rather than the rule. |
| understanding tone, simply remind her that | | | | |
| you will be serving breakfast at 7:00 a.m. as | | | | Try letting Jamie dip her foods in sauces, |
| usual. Jamie will most likely be persistent | | | | dressings, syrups or ketchup. It may make |
| about getting something else to eat. It is | | | | them taste better to her. |
| important that you follow through with the | | | | |
| limit you have placed. Otherwise, Jamie | | | | TIP: MAKE MEALTIME ENJOYABLE. Try to talk |
| learns that you do not mean what you say and | | | | about things other than eating at mealtime. |
| you lose your credibility with her. You may | | | | Dinner is a great time to talk to Jamie about |
| have to tell her several times that you will | | | | how her day went. During breakfast, you could |
| be serving breakfast at 7:00 until she | | | | discuss what everyone has planned for the |
| realizes that your are not going to give in. | | | | day. |
| | | | |
| Jamie: Mom Im hungry. Can I have some | | | | Everyone pitching in to help prepare the meal |
| cookies? | | | | can teach Jamie an important family value. An |
| | | | added bonus for children is that it can teach |
| Mom: Kids who eat all their dinner are | | | | them important thinking skills regarding |
| welcome to have a snack after. | | | | timing, measuring, colors, comparisons, |
| | | | counting, and cause and effect. |
| Jamie: But mom Im really hungry. | | | | |
| | | | Be creative in the ways that you dish up |
| Mom: I know Jamie. I would be hungry too if I | | | | Jamies food. Mold her mashed potatoes into a |
| ate as little as you did for dinner, but dont | | | | volcano, cut her meat or sandwich into bite |
| worry I will be fixing a big breakfast at | | | | sized pieces and poke toothpicks in them, |
| 7:00 a.m. | | | | layout veggies in the shapes of letters or |
| | | | numbers, or use a drop or two of food |
| Jamie: What? Do you want me to starve? | | | | coloring to make it more interesting. |
| | | | |
| Mom: Ill be serving breakfast at 7:00 Jamie | | | | TIP: LIMIT SNACKING. For children to be |
| | | | hungry enough to eat a meal they usually need |
| Jamie: This isnt fair. | | | | to go two or three hours without food. |
| | | | However, it is difficult for children to go |
| Mom: Ill be serving breakfast at 7:00 Jamie | | | | from noon to 6:00 p.m. without food. A |
| | | | nutritious snack after school should be fine |
| Jamie: Fine! | | | | to get Jamie to dinner still having her |
| | | | appetite. |
| TIP: NOTICE THE EXCEPTIONS. Call attention to | | | | |
| the times when Jamie eats most of her meal. | | | | TIP: RECALL PAST SUCCESSES. Think back about |
| Wow! Jamie you ate everything on your plate. | | | | times when Jamie has ate her meals. What were |
| Good job. You should be proud of yourself. | | | | you doing? Were you placing a lot of emphasis |
| Too often, we only notice the negative | | | | on her need to eat her food? What was she |
| aspects of our childrens behavior and that is | | | | doing? What were you eating? What happened |
| what we reinforce with our negative | | | | before the meal? These kinds of questions may |
| attention. | | | | help you realize some of the things you or |
| | | | Jamie is already doing which assist her in |
| TIP: CATER TO JAMIE'S DESIRE TO BE "BIG". | | | | becoming a better eater. |
| You probably wont like this halibut Jamie. | | | | |