A healthy diet involves adequate nutrient and energy intake to meet the metabolic requirements of the body.¹ It is important to nurture healthy eating but most children undergo the phase of fussy/picky eating behavior. Picky eaters consume inadequate variety or quantity of foods.² It may lead to insufficient intake of vitamins and fiber leading to a weak immune response and digestive problems.² This can be a worrying time for many parents as they struggle to develop healthy eating habits in their child.³ If you are one of them these tips can be useful for you.

Build your kid’s interest in food

• Try offering finger foods³
• Use brightly colored plates and cutlery³
• Involve children in menu planning and meal preparation³
• Discuss the benefits of healthy diet¹
• Be patient and never force feed a child.³

Correct the behavior

• Have meal time free from screens (TV, cellphones, tablets etc.)¹
• Encourage children to self-regulate portion size¹
• Try to give an appealing look to food¹
• Try to eat in a calm and relaxed environment and do not rush meals³
• Eat meals together at the same time every day¹
• Use non-food rewards to provide motivation⁴
• Model healthy behavior such as healthy food intake, moderate consumption of snacks and desserts¹

Provide nutrition

• Ensure that nutritious food is readily available at home¹
• Discourage consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, but do not prohibit a food completely¹
• Squashes and milk can fill up a child’s tummy, so avoid big drinks before meal times³
• Give small amount of unfamiliar nutritious food repeatedly (10–15 positive experiences may be needed)⁴
• If you child is not eating properly despite these measures, you can try vitamin C supplements like ‘Ascorbic Acid (Cecon Junior)’ to fill the nutritional gaps.

Check ‘The Role of Vitamin C in Protecting Your Child’ to understand the importance of providing vitamin C.

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If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

References

1. J.Haines et al. Nurturing children’s healthy eating: Position statement. Appetite (2019) 124-133.

2. Wolstenholme, H., Kelly, C., Hennessy, M. et al. Childhood fussy/picky eating behaviours: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 17, 2 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0899-x

3. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/healthy-eating-children#toc-8

4. Taylor CM, Emmett PM. Picky eating in children: causes and consequences. Proc Nutr Soc. 2019;78(2):161-169. doi:10.1017/S0029665118002586