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