03/11/2024
Making your family mealtimes happier and more nourishing with these tips ๐ด๐๐ซถ๐ป
1) The most effective way to get our kiddos to โtryโ and eventually like a variety foods is through modeling. Sitting together at a meal, simply modelling the eating you want to see. ๐
Focus the conversation outside of food (e.g. - think evening plans, sharing stories, etc) and if we must talk about food at meals discuss the CHARACTERISTICS of food โฆ what does it look like, smell like, feel like, etc.
So often we assume our child โdoesnโtโ like something if they donโt try if on the first few offerings. The reality is, it can take a MINIMUM of 15 exposures for kids to even think about โtastingโ a food. Keep offering, keep responses neutral! ๐
2)As parents we can feel desperate to get our children to โeatโ especially for kiddos who are โlower weightโ or have medical complexities. It is so important we offer not just the foods we think they will eat RATHER, focus on meal times as exposures for new and less familiar foods alongside ONE preferred food. This helps continue expanding food variety and creating an adventurous eater! ๐จโ๐ณ
3) For our children to develop a healthy relationship with food, the language we use is VERY important. Focus on the conversation of Food is Food, it is FUEL to our body. Then teach for the basics, Protein gives us long last energy and builds muscle, fruits and vegetables provide our body with vitamins, etc. ๐ช๐ผ
The key is not putting foods on a hierarchy or pedestal, which can make the desire for them to be even greater.
What currently is your familyโs biggest mealtime struggle?
