What do you do when your child won't eat?

Question

My five year old always seems to be putting up a fight when it comes to eating dinner. I don't make her eat the things I know she doesn't like but the things she does like she throws a fit about. Some times she will eat good but most of the time it is a fight. She will say i am not hungry. or i don't like it or i am full or just make up some excuse why she can't eat it.

So i do the whole you aren't having desert. No snacks. Bedtime. I will save it until she says she is hungry.

But when i say no treats she throws and even bigger fit. And i tell her if she has room for snacks she has room for dinner.

And then she will just scream and cry and complain.

What should i do to get her to eat her food. And when she throws fits like this how should i handle it.

Answer 1

"But when i say no treats she throws and even bigger fit. And i tell her if she has room for snacks she has room for dinner."
- Let her.

"And then she will just scream and cry and complain"
-So what.

"And when she throws fits like this how should i handle it."
- Ignore it, put her in a naughty spot, or time-out. DO NOT CAVE TO THE FIT!!!! That appears to be what you've been doing just to get some peace and quiet. Totally understandable, but also the exact wrong thing to do, because it empowers her, gives her more control over you, and teaches her how to get her way.

That's what kids are going to do when they are doing something they don't want to do. This tactic has obviously worked for her in the past to get her way, so she is resorting to it again.

BE THE ADULT
If she doesn't want to eat, fine, don't make her. When she cries in an hour about a snack, give her the dinner you made earlier. If she complains, let her. When she's hungry enough, she'll eat what you want her to eat.

Answer 2

My five yr. old does the same thing.

If she says she does not like something, try to offer her something that you know she likes. Then you know if the refusal is really if she likes it or not. Then if she won't eat something that you know she likes, this will tell you she is just wanting the dessert. You may have to not offer desserts any more for a while or not let her know that there is a dessert.

If you do this and there are times when she likes nothing that you have for supper, you may have to make her something that she likes just so she will eat. This is a pain but at least it gets them to eat something. I have to let my younger son eat something different about 3 times a week. Its usually a sandwich or something in a can, so its no big deal. I had to do this with my older son too. When he got a little older, I just said that I was not making him separate things any more and he would have to eat like everyone else. He is not a problem any more. (except he is one of the weird kids who don't like pizza, so when we have that, I order him chicken wings) But you also can't let this way get out of hand or you will be making separate dinners for each member of your family. You have to set an age limit where you sit down and tell them its time to eat like everyone else.

You also may have to cut down on what snacks you buy and when you are at the store, tell her she can no longer get the snacks she wants because she never eats her food. If she throws a fit then you say that if she eats her food nicely for a week, she can start getting her snacks again.

When they are truly hungry, they will eat. This is what my dad says and it is true. Your daughter is still at the age where she is controllable so you can't let her control you. If you do, she will push this into her teens and not be healthy. Just eating macaroni and cheese every day.

(Sorry so much info)

Answer 3

The best thing is to elliminate all junk food from your home and do not take her out for any fast food. You must stick to this. A child will not get ill from a few skipped meals and will finally come around to eatting healthy. It will be slow but it does work. Put good good out like cut up veggies with ranch, cut up apples with some dip, make mickey mouse pancakes, waffles with strawberries and a little whip cream. And you need to get her in the kitchen cooking with you. Have here help at every meal at the start and then after she is eatting let her help when she wants. Once a child sees how food is made they will appreciate and enjoy good food. They will never make this connection unless they help in the kitchen.
But most important remove all bad food from the house even though you have other kids around. Once they get the taste for good food they will eat less of the bad foods when they are offered or for those once in awhile treats.
Start now it only will get worse.

Answer 4

It's important to avoid making food and eating a battleground and emotional test of wills between you. Start removing the obstacles to this behavior by not having desserts, snacks, juices, soft drinks or other foods in the house AT ALL. If it's not available, it won't be there to make problems with.

She is an astute little girl. Why should she eat vegetables and meats, which are harder to chew and digest, when there are plenty of other things around to eat that are easily consumed?

You've got to learn her tastes, too. Does she like cooked carrots, but not raw ones? Are you a decent cook who presents delicious, attractive meals in small portions on pretty plates on well-decorated tables with the whole, smiling family around it? Are the hot foods hot and the cold foods cold?

My mom was an outstanding cook. Even the neighbor kids were always dying for an invitation to our table. My mom gave wee little people just a 'dab' of new or spicy foods, and maybe two dabs of everything else in a balanced, low-fat and well-seasoned meal. She raised six girls and one boy, all thin and excellent eaters with great appetites and a healthy, adventurous attitude toward food.

Hug your child and treat meals as a wonderful adventure you both are taking to find out what is good to eat. Make the vegetables in small pieces, attractive, and even sweetly flavored. Make the meats ground and/or definitely tenderized. She's only a little girl.

Answer 5

My daughter was the same way. Don't make her eat when she makes up excuses, just say okay (give her an i know what your up to look) and put the plate in the microwave. Don't yell, fight or make her eat. When she gets hungry later or at least tells you she is then say "okay hun, have seat and ill get you some food." Bring out the dinner and put it in front of her then go assume some other task and watch. Chances are she'll eat if she really is hungry.

Answer 6

First off children will eat when they are hungry. They will not allow themselves to starve and believe it or not they do get everything they need nutrition wise whether they are eating meals or not. As they say, "Pcik and choose your battles". If she says she is hungry and you make the food for her and put it out she can eat if she wants. After awhile if she hasn't eaten then put it in the frig and the next time she asks pull it out and serve it to her again. Chances are she will evtually eat it. Now mind you it may take several tries and you may have to eventually throw that food out, but keep at it. Keep sugary snacks and juices to a minimum as these tend to feel them up fast and then they have no room for food. You figure their little stomachs are only as big as their little fists so make portions small enough to where she comes back for seconds. That way you can praise her for eating well. Children don't need a lot of food. Children that are forced to eat often wind up as overeaters as adults or wind up with eating disorders. Just don't make a deal of the food. If she wants to eat then fine and if not then let it go. Jts make good choices int he way of foods and offer her one item you know she will eat and then offer her a few that she might.

Answer 7

My son is the exact same way! All the way down to the fits. The best thing you can do is stand you ground!!! She will not starve herself!!! My son has to eat at least half of his food before any treats. At the beginning it was a fight because he thought i would eventually give in, but in this situation I would rather my son be healthy. So I had to stand my ground 100 percent. Eventually she will see that you are not playing and she will eat her food. Also sometimes my son goes thru a stage when he just doesn't want to eat. I don't force him, when he's hungry he eventually comes and eats. Of course healthy stuff first. Good luck!!! It may taked awhile but just be patient, loving, and stan your ground and it will work out!

Answer 8

Offer food at meal time if she doesnt eat -give her nothing but water until the next meal. Once she sees that you mean it she will start eating her meals so she can get the snacks.When she throws a fit tell her it was her choice not to eat that you offered it but she didnt want to so its her problem not yours. Oh and dont save the meal just wait until the next one she wont starve to death another meal is just a few hours away.One thing to check is if you are giving her too much if she eats part of it and then says shes not hungry well maybe she is being given too much.

Answer 9

Never force a child to eat, they will eat when they are ready. I certainly would NOT be giving her snacks until she does eat something nutritious. As far as the the screaming and complaining goes, tell her if she continues to act in this manner she will not only have snacks taken from her but her favorite toy or perhaps the T.V.,something that means something to her. Take control and try not to let her have the upper hand. She will eat eventually, and on her own time.

Answer 10

Oh I feel for you! I have been going through the same thing! I just keep trying. Dinner is like hell at home right now because it is a fight every night! I have tried all of the above. Right now I just remove him from the table and make him sit somewhere else and keep inviting him to join us IF he is going to eat. Sometimes it works but other times it doesn't. You might be able to try it though. Good Luck! If you find something that REALLY works please let me know!!!