Tips to cope with a fussy eater
HEALTHY SNACKS
Avoid empty calorie snacks like crisps or soft drinks and keep a supply of healthy snacks on hand – maybe have a low shelf in the fridge with cut up fresh fruit and other healthy foods. When children are hungry, they won’t wait.
HEALTHY JUNK FOOD
Make your own healthy versions of fast food like burgers made from lean minced beef, sautéed red onion, thyme and tomato chutney or ice lollies made from fresh fruit.
MAKE FOOD FUN
Make your child’s food taste and look good too. Make mini portions in ramekins, make chicken skewers or thread bite sized pieces of fruit onto a straw.
GET KIDS COOKING!
Getting children involved in the kitchen is a great way to motivate fussy eaters. Most children adore cooking and tasks like squeezing fresh orange juice or cracking eggs are well within the capabilities of a young child. Take a look at my new Kids Cooking site.
REWARD SCHEMES
like a sticker chart in the kitchen can work well. Make the chart yourself perhaps using pictures of his favourite things (tractors, Thomas The Tank Engine etc) to decorate it. Give your child a sticker for eating new foods. When he has collected a few stickers, reward him with a prize.
EATING VEG
If children will not eat vegetables, create recipes that vegetables can be blended into such as a tomato and vegetable sauce for pasta or a creamy tomato soup made with carrots and onions. What children can’t see, they can’t pick out. Also many children who don’t like cooked vegetables will eat raw vegetables like carrot sticks, sweet pepper etc with a tasty dip.
INVITE FRIENDS FOR TEA
preferably one with a good appetite tends to be a good ruse. Invariably you will find that your child will eat what is offered provided her friend is eating it too! A cooking party is a great idea too!
To read more top tips, please visit my Fussy Eaters section on www.annabelkarmel.com
