7 Creative Ways To Feed Fussy Toddlers
One thing most mothers around the world are concerned about is getting their ever busy toddlers to eat nutritious food. And with the shop sh...
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One thing most mothers around the world are concerned about is getting their ever busy toddlers to eat nutritious food. And with the shop shelves and TV screens flooding with attractive junk food, the little ones are eager to bit into a sugary candy or a fatty mac burger. In either case, the health quotient of the food item is a bare minimum. But bring a bowl of healthy green leafy vegetables or some nutritious cereal, and you will find the toddlers making all kinds of excuses to push the bowl as far as possible. But with a little creativity and fascinating narratives, you can make and feed a healthy meal to your fussy toddler. Read on to find how.
1. Colourful Plating
Even an adult would cringe at the sight of a colourless gooey porridge. So it is obvious that your kid may run away when you bring such a dish before him or her. Mix a dash of lovely bright colours to make the food appear interesting. Add lots of bright green peas, carrots, sweet corn, fresh green cilantro, pinkish white scallions and so on. If you boil everything together, the colour will be lost resulting in a dull looking porridge. Stir fry the coloured veggies and decorate it creatively to make the food look inviting and full of colours.
2. Tell Stories About The Benefits Of Eating Healthy
No not a story about general health. That is bound to bore the kids. Give names to your veggies, such as brave beet, bright bell pepper, cute carrot, bunchy spinach and so on…. and while you child picks up each vegetable to eat, associate a story with the name and what it will do once it goes inside. Brave helps you fight tyrant monsters, bunchy will kill all the germs and makes your tummy happy, cute will help you see through night vision and so on. Soon you will see that the little one is gobbling up the food and the stories without creating a fuss.
3. Let Them Make Their Own Food
Children may take food for granted when they know mommy always makes it for them. Change the routine once in a while and let your toddler prepare his or her own food. Let them choose the cereal, the sprouts or the vegetables. Let them pick out the spinach leaves and put them in the pan, let them wash the carrots and the beans. Make them choose their favourite seasoning and add it to their food. Let them taste it before plating like a pro. The excitement of the activity is bound to get them eager about showing off and eating the food they have made.
4. Lead By Example
If you are fussy about certain food items, chances are your child will also grow an aversion towards it. So never make a face or remark on food that is served on your plate. As your child observes you relishing your food, he or she will also follow your actions and begin enjoying the taste of healthy foods.
5. Seasoning Makes A Big Difference
It is often seen that child-friendly food is bland in taste. No wonder children get easily tempted by the salty cheesy pizzas or french fries with ketchup. Toddlers are still experimenting with tastes and their taste buds are alive than ever. So a bland rice pudding or a plate of boiled vegetables will definitely not appeal to them. Try to mix and match condiments and ensure that their meals are flavorful with appropriate seasoning. Try sprinkling some oregano or thyme in there salads or just a hint of pepper in their soups and see how the taste changes the way your child looks at homemade food.
6. Set Some Eating Discipline From An Early Age
A child's mind is like a blank slate and when you etch something on it, it remains indelible in his memory. Therefore, it is a good idea to set some table disciplines from an early stage. These rules can be as no wasting any food that is served on the plate. Please bear in mind that you serve in little quantities so that your child doesn't have to force feed himself or herself.
7. Other Siblings Can Help
If you have older children at home, let the older and the younger ones eat together. It's common for all little ones to imitate their elder siblings. When the siblings eat together, encourage them to take a decent bite, chew and enjoy the food. Ask for their feedback, whether they like it or not, what is their favourite flavour and more.
Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Contributed By: Kriti Mazumdar
1. Colourful Plating
Even an adult would cringe at the sight of a colourless gooey porridge. So it is obvious that your kid may run away when you bring such a dish before him or her. Mix a dash of lovely bright colours to make the food appear interesting. Add lots of bright green peas, carrots, sweet corn, fresh green cilantro, pinkish white scallions and so on. If you boil everything together, the colour will be lost resulting in a dull looking porridge. Stir fry the coloured veggies and decorate it creatively to make the food look inviting and full of colours.
2. Tell Stories About The Benefits Of Eating Healthy
No not a story about general health. That is bound to bore the kids. Give names to your veggies, such as brave beet, bright bell pepper, cute carrot, bunchy spinach and so on…. and while you child picks up each vegetable to eat, associate a story with the name and what it will do once it goes inside. Brave helps you fight tyrant monsters, bunchy will kill all the germs and makes your tummy happy, cute will help you see through night vision and so on. Soon you will see that the little one is gobbling up the food and the stories without creating a fuss.
3. Let Them Make Their Own Food
Children may take food for granted when they know mommy always makes it for them. Change the routine once in a while and let your toddler prepare his or her own food. Let them choose the cereal, the sprouts or the vegetables. Let them pick out the spinach leaves and put them in the pan, let them wash the carrots and the beans. Make them choose their favourite seasoning and add it to their food. Let them taste it before plating like a pro. The excitement of the activity is bound to get them eager about showing off and eating the food they have made.
4. Lead By Example
If you are fussy about certain food items, chances are your child will also grow an aversion towards it. So never make a face or remark on food that is served on your plate. As your child observes you relishing your food, he or she will also follow your actions and begin enjoying the taste of healthy foods.
5. Seasoning Makes A Big Difference
It is often seen that child-friendly food is bland in taste. No wonder children get easily tempted by the salty cheesy pizzas or french fries with ketchup. Toddlers are still experimenting with tastes and their taste buds are alive than ever. So a bland rice pudding or a plate of boiled vegetables will definitely not appeal to them. Try to mix and match condiments and ensure that their meals are flavorful with appropriate seasoning. Try sprinkling some oregano or thyme in there salads or just a hint of pepper in their soups and see how the taste changes the way your child looks at homemade food.
6. Set Some Eating Discipline From An Early Age
A child's mind is like a blank slate and when you etch something on it, it remains indelible in his memory. Therefore, it is a good idea to set some table disciplines from an early stage. These rules can be as no wasting any food that is served on the plate. Please bear in mind that you serve in little quantities so that your child doesn't have to force feed himself or herself.
7. Other Siblings Can Help
If you have older children at home, let the older and the younger ones eat together. It's common for all little ones to imitate their elder siblings. When the siblings eat together, encourage them to take a decent bite, chew and enjoy the food. Ask for their feedback, whether they like it or not, what is their favourite flavour and more.
Image Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Contributed By: Kriti Mazumdar
I am gonna try all of these!
ReplyDeleteI have used these for my daughter and it works like magic, most of the times, Unless the child is too sleepy or unwell.
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