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Picky Eater
Can anyone offer some advice about picky eaters? I have one kid that we are having a hard time to get her to eat a balanced meal. She will NOT eat any veggies. Sometimes she won't even eat what she usually likes (i.e. apples, mac and cheese). I don't know if it depends on her day or what. All she ever wants is bread and crackers. It kills me! I ask her to take one bite of this or that before putting more bread or crackers on her plate (I can't let the child starve). And mind you, I've even served meals without any carbs, but that doesn't work either. She will just not eat and say she's done. Then I feel bad cause I don't want her going hungry. She is just extremely stubborn. We've tried praise, stickers, saying things like "carrots will make you hop high like a bunny." She doesn't go for any of that. Just stares at us with her "death stare". Anyone have similar experience with tools that worked? Or do I just feed her bread so she at least eats something? It's frustrating, but I don't think her parents are too concerned. They just say, "Oh yeah. She is really picky."
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I stopped making food an issue a long time ago, and it was a game-changer! I provide the food--they eat it or not. The kids here are pretty good about encouraging each other to try things, and many times it works! But I've thrown away plenty of full plates of food. I just don't worry about it anymore. They rarely starve.
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@Rockgirl
During lunch time, if the kids won't eat anything on the plate, do you just let them sit during lunch? We have nap after lunch, so do I just let her not eat? And do I keep doing that until she adjusts? I don't mind throwing out what she doesn't eat. I always put it on her plate, regardless if I know she won't eat it or not.Comment
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Mine all sit at the table during lunch--I've found that if one leaves the table, they all want to. Plus, there's always the chance they'll decide to try something.
Mine love to dip things, and come up with some wacky food combos, but I just let them go at it. I imagine a banana dipped in ketchup isn't very good, but I haven't tried it, so who knows? Lol.Comment
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My lunch period is 30 minutes long. If they finish their lunch before the 30 minutes is up they get to go do Teamwork Time on the carpet (build something together with all of the Legos or all of the Magnatiles). If they don't finish their lunch before the 30 minutes is up then it is put away, without a word, at the end and they start nap time prep just like all of the other kids.
They don't have to eat. But, they DO have to remain at the table. They can choose to eat or talk.
I have 1-2 picky eaters in each of my groups right now. I give them the minimum required amount (by the food program) and the rest of the kids get larger portion sizes.
Today my picky eaters (2) didn't eat much at all. They even ignored their watermelon.Comment
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They all sit together and no one leaves the table until lunch time is over, but literally right now, she is sitting at the table not wanting to eat anything on her plate. She has three different things on her plate to choose from and she is refusing. She is that stubborn. I really think she would rather starve than give in.Comment
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All kids sit until every one is done. They all get served the same thing and it is their choice to eat or not. If they complain I just say "next meal is snack so eat up or you may be hungry".Comment
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I serve a balanced meal every day.
The kids eat. or don't.
NOT my issue.
In their tummy or in the garbage it's still gone so win-win.
Most the time picky eaters are those that are provided too any choices.
I don't have a picky eater in my bunch.
Used to but when you stop focusing on it, they do too.
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Your only job is to put healthy foods in front of her every day, and her job is to eat it or not.
that's it
end of story
Don't fight about food. It never ends well.Comment
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Great feedback. Thank you all! <3Comment
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yep.I serve a balanced meal every day.
The kids eat. or don't.
NOT my issue.
In their tummy or in the garbage it's still gone so win-win.
Most the time picky eaters are those that are provided too any choices.
I don't have a picky eater in my bunch.
Used to but when you stop focusing on it, they do too.
I also do not put ANY food on their plates. We eat family style. They have the option to chose anything. They chose nothing- that's still their choice.
Parents short order cooking/drive through have definitely caused an increase in food issues.Comment
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I feel your pain. It used to drive me crazy how picky all my kids were. I stopped making it an issue. They are served the minimum amount (larger portions for non picky eaters) and if they don't eat it that's their choice. Surprisingly 6 months later those picky eaters now eat most things they are served. All me kids sit at the table during meal times even if they decide not to eat.Comment
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Every kid gets an identical plate of food. If they eat at least some of most of the items on the plate, I just note what was served. If they won't touch it, I note that the food was offered. I don't stress about it. I put in the Brightwheel note like this:
Kid 1 gets note that says Whole wheat toast, chicken, cheese, plums.
Kid 2 gets note that says Whole wheat toast. Offered chicken, cheese, plums.Comment
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I serve meals and what I am serving to is the only thing offered. If the child chooses not to eat then that is their decision but there is not going to be anything else offered. I have found that it just prolongs their pickiness.Comment
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