Eating Habits for a 6 year old?

Question

My nephew is 6 years old. My sister, every night has a battle with him to eat. She has tried almost everything.... From having him sit at the table until he trys something, taking away things he likes, guilt, long talks, nothing will work. He stands his ground. She takes away all snacks, until the dinner is tried, but this does not bug the child. He eats a good breakfast and lunch, but dinner is a mess. He will not eat meat or veggies. Yogurt, PPJ, is his main menu...He is very healthy, energetic and not underweight.... does anyone have any suggestions or help. My sister is at the end of her rope. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

at this age kids go thru a stage try giving him what he wants for meals he will eventually out grow this pb&j is ok as long as his other meals are good for him she could try substituting his big meal at lunch time

Answer 2

Tell your sister that I have a daughter that is 10, and I still have to struggle with the dinnertime situation, and she started that picky stuff when she was only 4! However, she's gotten a lot better about eating what is served, rather than having to make our meal, then her's. That just became unacceptable after the first YEAR of battling. Now, she'll eat just about anything we eat. Here's the difference: your nephew isn't underweight, but my daughter was. She just would not eat! It was scaring me to death. We don't allow junky eating in this house, but she is allowed to have a sweet now and then. She really has to earn it through eating good, healthy portions of her meals, though. We NEVER use food as a reward. That's the one thing I disagree with. We also NEVER reward either one of our children for eating. One of the things that has really worked with my picky-pants daughter is having her help make the food. She really enjoys cooking. I've found that the more she helps, the more she's prone to trying new things. I also allow her to help with the grocery shopping. She and I sit and plan a week's worth of meals together, with the recipe book, and wow! She's eating! She's very healthy and extremely energetic...but she's still a little underweight for her age. I don't look at the numbers...I can see how healthy she is - good skin color, good nail and hair growth, and she's growing at a normal pace. She's got plenty of energy for the day...enough for ten people sometimes! So, allow the nephew to cook with you, if he's ever with you. Seriously, the more the participate in the things they don't like...it's amazing how much they change their minds.

Answer 3

If he won't eat what is put in front of him don't force it. Ask him to leave the table, go to his room, or whatever. When he wants a snack say "No". It doesn't matter WHAT the snack is, healthy or not do not give in. He is to get nothing until breakfast the next morning. If he pulls the same thing the next night...do the same thing. IF he is truly hungry he WILL eat what is put in front of him. If he doesn't start eating then quite possibly he isn't hungry, and that's when I'd simply cut out all snacks.

Answer 4

Kids go through so many phases. My 7 (almost 8) and 9 year old boys did. I say, they only need to have 4 or 5 choices of things they like to have for dinner. Taste is aquired, she should just let him grow into tastes. PB&J is ok with milk and maybe an apple. Or, on Nanny 911 she gave rewards to the kids for trying a little bite. Good luck!

Answer 5

We stopped fighting with our son. The pediatrician said as long as he's healthy and growing, make sure he takes a multi-vitamin and let him eat what he wants. We just fix what we know our picky eater will eat, so that we know he got enough to eat. Not junk food or anything, but he alternates about 5 meals that he likes, and that's what he gets. We encourage him to try new things. On weekends, we'll go to a buffet and let him try something new. If he's healthy, let it go. He'll change in a year or so, this should just be a phase. Best wishes.

Answer 6

You put dinner on the table. Give him a plate of food. Not too much food. Just a serving of each thing.

You sit down, eat your own dinner, slowly, pleasantly. Don't hurry and don't talk crossly.

When you're done, and everyone else is, too, you take away his food, and tell him dinner is over now.

Don't allow snacks.

Answer 7

I have the same issues with both of my boys. What I have figured out, is that they won't starve themselves. As long as he is healthy and thriving I wouldn't worry too much. Make sure he is taking multivitamins and you could try pediasure drinks at dinner. You should try to get him to eat dinner every night but don't get freaked out if he doesn't eat much.

Answer 8

my little brother had the same problem. what my mom did: had him make a list of the things that he liked (1 meat, 1 veg., 1 other side) then she made a little menu and chart that had his dinner for every day of the week. then, he knew what he would be eating and wouldn't be suprised. if he told her something she knew was unacceptable for dinner, she would substitute the item and let him have his choice after dinner. it worked pretty good. she also had one day of the week where he could eat like for example a pb&j sand. for dinner.

Answer 9

make his main meal at luchtime with meat and veg. If he is healthy and not underweight them I wouldn't stress too much. Keep offering and tell him he must eat one thing on his plate before he leaves the table or as I did. You are 6 yrs old you must eat 6 of everything on your plate. 6 peas, 6 beans, 6 carrot slices etc.

Answer 10

That is a battle that I do not fight with my kids. As long as he is getting enough for breakfast and lunch then why fight it. Kids eat when they are hungry..........he may be picky now but he will grow out of it. I have 5 kids and they all eat dinner now without any issues!!

Answer 11

I can relate, my daughter is 5 years old and she will eat mac & cheese or grilled cheese at evry meal if we allowed her, so we have compromised with her. She can it if she eats a vegetable with it. She agreed to it and now she has mac & cheese, which is nutritious or grilled cheese & I add broccoli or greens or salad and she is happy and so are we. The power struggle is over and she is more willing now to taste other foods because her favorites are still there waiting for her. Don't stress, it's a powerplay. If you are really worried about nutrition, add a multi-vitamin. He will be just fine.