Understanding ‘Fussy’ Eating
Children may or may not be naturally inclined to try new things, but it is important help them explore their preferences by being exposed to a variety of foods. This can, in turn, help to set them up with a healthy relationship with food as they get older.
So even if your child is often 'fussy' when it comes to food, it's never too early or late to start to integrate the tips below. The key is to take it slowly and to incorporate them in a way that works for you and your child.
- Involve Your Child
Whether it's by growing it, choosing it, or preparing it, many children are often more willing to try a food or eat a meal that they've been involved in. Depending on their age, you could try involving them in whisking, pouring, and stirring, or helping to set the table. Include them in picking a recipe or planning a menu and maybe let them invite a toy or two to the table sometimes - encourage them to get excited about food and interested in exploring it.
- Offer New Foods
Serve one new food at a time and serve it alongside a food that your child likes and that's familiar to them - too much too soon can overwhelm them. Even if they don't try it the first time you offer it, just seeing it on their plate might put them one step closer to tasting it. Remember, you'll need to keep trying. Research shows that some children need to be served foods as many as 15 times before they decide that they like them, so perseverance is needed.
- Small Portions
Just as too many new foods might overwhelm your child, so too will having too much on their plate. As well as wasting less food, small portions will allow your child to decide how much they want to eat and ask for more if they choose.
- Make Food Fun
If you child's plate is colourful, their sandwich has been cut into a fun shape or their fruit and veg been arranged like a smiley face or rainbow, it might encourage them to eat it. Playing with food doesn't have to be a bad thing. Making their plate look appealing to them can create excitement and fun and might encourage their interest in exploring variety.
- Keep it Low-Key
Provide a variety of foods for your child to try but try to let them decide which ones they try and how much of them they want to eat. Ask them to try it but avoid putting pressure on them and giving it too much attention - be low-key about it. If you don't make it a big deal, their curiosity may prompt them to give it a try before you even ask.
- Offer Variety
Consider introducing one or two new foods a week. As you'll be repeating previously exposed foods gradually there won't be as many new foods for your little one to try and they'll soon get used to seeing a variety of foods. Try to be consistent and creative as you expand the foods they feel comfortable with without adding pressure.
- Only Offer One Meal
While it can be frustrating if you've taken time to prepare a meal only to have it refused, remember it takes time. Don't create an entirely separate meal just for your child, encourage them to eat what you and the rest of the family are eating, even if you must dissect the meal.
For example, separate out a portion of pasta for your child before adding the sauce and then give them the sauce in a jug on the side in case they'd like to try it, or serve their chilli without beans and offer a few beans in a separate bowl for them to touch, try or just look at. By having your child see all the foods on the table and watching others eating them, it might encourage them to do the same - chances are, if they see you enjoying it, they might be more inclined to try it.
There will be some foods that your child will genuinely not like, and that's okay. Simply find an alternative and try again later. All children are different and so different approaches will work for different children. It takes time and patience so don't give up, keep offering a variety of foods and one day they may surprise you and not only eat something unexpected, but enjoy it!
Extra Resources
- Read our 'Understanding Fussy Eating'blog, where we consider some of the most common reasons for 'fussy' eating.
- 'Fussy Eaters' advice from the NHS, including what to feed young children, baby and toddler meal ideas and a video on 'Managing a Fussy Eater'
If you found this article to be useful, you can check out more of our early childcare resources in our Family Resource Zone!
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