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