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Picky Eaters

4 & 5 year olds become engrossed in whatever they are doing. Many will not even stop having fun or a project to go to the bathroom let alone eat.

They are becoming more independent and want some control over what they eat or when.

They may have fallen in love with junk foods and are filling up between meals.

Children in this age group are energy powerhouses. Sitting still, even for 20-30 minutes may feel like an eternity at mealtime.

The extremes: they are just not hungry or are in the middle of a growth spurt and cannot get enough to eat.

Children will never starve themselves. Allow your child to keep his natural instinct for hunger. Do not force a child to eat if he is not hungry. You can however insist that the child sit with the family at the table during mealtime.

Tell your child that you are not a cafeteria service. Demonstrate this by not providing meals at all times of the day and night.

Limit the amounts and types of snacks between meals. If your child will not eat healthy foods at mealtimes, provide healthy snacks between meals. Try to limit the amount of snacking so your child is hungrier at mealtime.

Many children will be picky about certain foods for short periods of time. Continue to offer different foods. You never know when her tastes will change.

If peanut butter and jelly is the only thing he will eat for lunch, give it to him.

Have your child "try" a new food at least once a week. One bite is all that is required as a "try". If she doesn't like it, do not force her to eat it. But she should at least try it.

Set a good example. Prepare and eat nutritious foods at regularly scheduled times. It is by your example that your child will have a lifetime of good eating habits.

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