Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
Toddler's Picky Eating Habits | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Ms. Silva,
My three-and-a-half-year-old is a very picky eater. When he was on baby food, he would eat everything, but as he grew, he refused to try new things. He won't eat vegetables, fruit, or meat, but he likes bread, peanut butter, jam, Cheese Whiz, chicken, yogurt, chocolate milk, and macaroni and cheese. I give him a multivitamin every day, but what else can I do? Will he eventually start eating on his own?— Linda in Ontario, Canada | | | ANSWER |
November 10, 2000 | | | Dear Linda,
It may be of small comfort, but your son is a typical toddler. Many children start out eager to try all sorts of new foods but then grow more finicky as they get older.
You don't have to worry too much about your son's protein needs since he eats chicken, peanut butter, and milk, he's probably getting enough. However, you should limit his juice to less than 12 ounces a day and try to avoid food with little nutritional value, such as jam and cookies. If your son will drink plain milk, don't offer the chocolate or strawberry varieties the flavorings only add sugar calories that may decrease his appetite. Serving cut-up, raw vegetables with Cheese Whiz or fruit with a yogurt dip might make those foods more acceptable, and you might try adding vegetables, ground meat, or tuna to his favorite macaroni and cheese.
Often children will accept a new food in small portions if they're very hungry or if the new item is presented with a familiar and well-liked food. Even if your child rejects something at first, don't give up if it's a nutritious food that you'd like him to enjoy research has shown that it can take 15 or so exposures to a given food before a child accepts it. Finally, remember to set a good example by eating the kind of foods you want your son to eat.
— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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