how do you feed a picky eater? My child is 6.?

Answer 1

There are two things to consider. Would you like your child to become an adaptable person able to get along with people or would you like them to be self centered, selfish and spoiled. These attitudes are formed from the start. At six it maybe (almost too late) an up hill battle to teach them to accept a variety of foods. Eat what the family eats. Granted, we all have our favorites. But why turn the life of the family upside down and needlessly complex for one narrow minded individual.

I find picky people difficult to be around. And an examination of their history showed they had a mother, usually, that always gave them whatever they wanted. The child had claimed more power and authority than the parent.

I expect the already developed picky eaters out there, to be irritated with my analysis. There are some other good answers here, too.

Answer 2

Keep an eye out for healthy foods that he/she likes and try to offer them as much as possible.

It can be done, as I was very picky. Being autistic, I had a lot of texture and smell issues with food and had a tendency (and still do) to eat only foods that have a firm texture, and are not overly seasoned or spicy, and only use small amounts of mild sauces like ketchup, marinara, mustard, etc. when "necessary." I also can't stand a large amount of sauce on my food, soggy food, or any food with a consistency like pudding or sauce, regardless of the taste or smell. Wouldn't you have loved to have been my mom? :)

I would recommend that you try a variety of foods (preferrably all healthy), all the while paying attention to what your child approves of and disapproves of. Also take note of tendencies (likes crispy; hates chewy; doesn't like spicy; likes tangy; etc.). Then try to offer a diet of things that you know he/she will not turn his/her nose up at. If you want to make something you know your child does not like (let's face it, there's no reason your child should limit your own diet) you can always make a side dish of one of your child's easier foods, that way you both can eat.

Mind you I am NOT saying that your child is autistic, but merely drawing on my own experience to show that there are ways to make sure he/she eats healthy while at the same time avoiding refused meals. It may also help to only reserve certain times of the day for eating, that way your child realizes that there will only be food available during meal times. That will help to prevent your child from doing a lot of "unhealthy" snacking.

I also agree with some of the posters here that are saying to let your child get involved with food preparation. Some kids will have more interest in eating the meal if they helped prepare it. By 6 your chld should be able to help some.

Hope that helps some. Good luck to both of you.

And by the way, Russell, you really have no idea the anxiety that comes with knowing you have to choose between doing something you literally cannot stand, and stressing someone else out. Not to mention knowing that you can't solve or even express your dilemma in a way that won't offend people. It takes a long time to figure out the balance. Try to be a little more understanding, would you? Sorry everyone.

Answer 3

You will think I am cruel but I have experience of this and had to learn the hard way. All behaviour has a purpose, your six year old has discovered that he/she has your FULL attention if he/she is not eating. Give her/him a nutrious meal and if it is eaten good if not okay thats their choice do not try to cajole or bribe.Satisfying a hunger is a personal responsibility not yours. No one died from missing one meal and if you give no snacks or treats between meals. I guarantee the next meal will be eaten.You are not a bad parent for allowing a child to go hungry once but if you are training them to be a fussy eater.....

Answer 4

I have a seven year old that is very picky. If I didn't monitor what he was eating , he would not be eating healthy. The best way that I have found to do this is to give him choices. I take two healthy vegetables and I give him the choice of which one he wants to eat. As long as he feels like he is making the decisions he doesn't protest too much.

Answer 5

It is sooo funny to see so many in commons i have w/my kids and every one else.. My middle child is very picky..he eats chicken, pizza, chinese food, hot dogs, hamburgers, --will not eat pasta, veggies, except fr. fries, I just got him to eat steak, within the last 2 mths and he is 12 yrs old. I always blamed it on one of my sitters as when I fired her, had found all of his baby food in her closet. About 50 jars, and i asked what the hell she was feeding my son, and she said cheese and crackers. To this day he hates cheese, and I will never trust a sitter again. She had no lower teeth, come to find out and either was saving the baby food for her or giving it to her daughter for her kids... Nasty...people...plain ole nasty... but my pedi also said he does eat, and he is in the 90th percentile, on the growth chart so... he is doing well...

Answer 6

Allow the child to get involved with the making of dinner, weather it is stirring or measuring something age appropriate. Hopefully they will feel a sense of accomplishment and want to eat what they made.

A lot of positive reinforcement, it is nuts to got about cooking a couple meals to satisfy every bodies tastes, Put down what everybody else is eating in front of him. Get a cheering section going if need be, lavish them with attention for eating their dinner.

Answer 7

One of the best things you can do is get your child INVOLVED in the preparation of meals. Make it fun. Start with healthy snacks, like ants on a log (celery, peanut butter, with raisins on top). It's fun which means that your child will have fun eating it. Go to the bookstore and get children's' books that have to do with nutrition and food. Rita Golden Gelman's "More Spaghetti I Say" is a fun book. Read it before dinner and get your child excited about eating pasta. You can 'hide' healthy food in things, but I think making your child want to eat healthy foods on his/her own is better. Six is a great age to introduce nutrition because they're still asking 'why' about things. Make up your own stories and pictures about body parts. For example, bones love calcium, so tell a story, making your child the hero. In order for him to be the hero he has to make sure his bones drink enough milk/soy milk and eat calcium rich foods. I made a coloring book with stories in it and it worked. Good Luck and have Fun!

Answer 8

I have a picky eater as a neighbor.He is 5.His mom tried more than one way to try to feed him properly:she tried forcing him to eat the food she gave him,she tried to trick him into it and finally she gave him pills(multivitamins) to grow his appetite.The last method worked best.My mom tried it on me and my bro a while back and she was very succesful.I think you should try the last one.I hope I helped.

Answer 9

Let them help cook, this helps them to eat more, or let them serve their own plates, and the foods they dont like try giving them just a teaspoon of so it doesnt seem to be sooo much to them and they are more willing to try it because its only a little bit. Encouragement, praise and dont fuss too much because then they will be discouraged and they wont budge. Or you can pick up your spoon and try it at the same time with them. Say lets try this together.

Answer 10

Her is a good site from Kraft Foods designed with kids in mind.
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/ff/kids/MainPage.htm
On the kraftfoods.com there is also a new message board you can get lots of help from others about what has worked for them and post questions you have.

I find being creative (example: cut sandwich's into shapes with cookie cutters) and getting the kids involved with their food preparation helps.

And always give lots of verbal praise when they healthy foods and well.