Dietitian Heather Miller, who holds clinics in Balla and Castlebar, offers some advice on dealing with a child who is a fussy eater.
Many children seem to develop a habit of fussy eating from about one and a half years onwards which causes parents serious distress. There are many things that you can do to try to get your little angel back on track.
Where possible, make sure the whole family sits down together for meals.
Only prepare one dinner for the whole family.
Always make lunch and evening meal two parts. By this I mean have the main course and follow it by a dessert. If the meal comes in two parts then at least you will know he had a little of each.
Make it fun — such as making his dinner plate in the shape of a face or an animal. If older then get him involved in cooking. Let him help with shopping.
If he does not eat his meal, ask three times “are you sure you won’t eat it, there is nothing else”. If he persists, take the meal away and make him sit at the table until everyone has finished. If he starts crying or looking for attention try to ignore it.
Try disguising foods, such as grating vegetables into foods, eg, grate a carrot into mince for lasagne.
Always keep to meal plan.
If things seem to be getting worse rather than better, it might be worth making an appointment with Heather Miller on 087 172 3664 or email [email protected]
