Many kids have difficulty eating. They will fuss about having to consume a plate of vegetables, meats and fruits. Some kids literally look sick when they see healthy foods, but they do not have the same reaction to tasty treats such as a chocolate bar or a cupcake.
Children need proper food to grow and the only way you can get them to eat is by doing the following things:
- Make healthy treats
If your child likes eating cupcakes and cookies, you can bake them at home and substitute most of the unhealthy ingredients for the healthy ones. You can use honey or agave in place of sugar. You can also add some nuts, currants, berries, grated carrots or zucchini.
This way, you give the child what she or he wants, with the added benefit of health.
- Create an eating schedule
Children need to eat regularly especially if they are very active; when a child is suffering from low blood sugar, their craving for high sugar foods increases. They could also become cranky and refuse to eat altogether.
- Learn to substitute
Some kids dislike particular foods, but have no problem eating others. You should learn what your child likes or dislikes and substitute. For instance, if your child does not like pumpkin, there is no point in making him or her eat it. Substitute with zucchini or butternut instead.
You can also substitute beef steak with healthy treats like grass fed beef sticks, which your child can feed on any time of the day.
- Serve smaller quantities
It is better to have your child eat 5 to 6 times a day, and in smaller quantities, than it is to serve large quantities 3 times a day.
Part of the reason that kids refuse to eat is when the food looks too much. Kids feel really grown when they are able to clear their plate and they will even show off about it.
Serve in smaller quantities and your child will be encouraged to eat more.
- Make the meals interesting
If your child will not eat fruit, make a fruit smiley face with a variety of colorful fruits such as mango, melon, berries and currants.
Most children have a problem eating breakfast. You can make your pancakes into interesting shapes that your child will look forward to eating. For instance, the ginger bread man.
- Blend vegetables into a smoothie
Most children dislike vegetables and the more you urge them to eat their vegetables, the more they will detest them.
It is better to serve them in a juice. Add the vegetables to a fruit juice to mask the taste. You can sweeten the juice with some natural sweeteners to make it more delicious.
- Don’t make separate meals for your kids
You don’t want to show your kids that they can control what they eat. Your kids need to know that the meal you make is for the whole family.
Making separate meals is tiresome and expensive.
- Cook with your kids
Allow your kids to participate in the cooking process as they will naturally want to eat what they have made. They can even name their signature dishes. This process can include all types of meals from salads to main dishes.
