Picky Eaters: Tips & Tricks to Get Your Kid Excited for Mealtime! by Matthew Jeckavitch

We’ve all been there: your kid refuses to eat what is placed in front of him and the next thing you know you are stuck in a rut of serving hot dogs or chicken nuggets. How can you break that vicious cycle? Many ways can remedy this situation:

• Reintroducing foods gradually into mealtime. So little Johnny didn’t like green beans the first time but after the third time he says, “Green is my favorite color and now I like green beans.”

• Talk with your children about foods that can make your teeth happy vs. foods that can make your teeth sad. They may surprise you on how much they know.

• Allow your children to make choices about what they will be eating. Example: “Johnny, would you prefer an apple or a banana? Carrot sticks or celery sticks? Milk or water?” By allowing your child to make choices he feels in control of what he's are eating.

• Sit down, eat and talk with your child. Allow the conversation to flow, whether it be about daily events or the meal itself, such as comparing and contrasting items on the plate. Let her know this is a time she can feel free to express what is on her mind.

In no time you will have a child who gets excited for mealtime!