A Few Ideas for Picky Eaters

By Randi Morse

We all want our children to grow up healthy, and part of that ensures that they eat healthy meals. While there are some children who love to eat all sorts of meals, there are others who are notoriously picky. Parents try all sorts of things to get their children to eat healthy food, from making them sit at the table until every bite is gone to sneaking vegetables into their food. If you're trying to encourage your children to eat healthy foods, here are a few tricks that may work well for you.

Grocery Shopping

I know tons of people who find grocery shopping one of the most boring and tedious chores that they do. I actually enjoy shopping, I find it challenging to hunt down great deals while also finding healthy foods for my family. Make it fun for your children too! Bring your children grocery shopping with you. Before your trip, ask them to help you find good deals in your local grocery circular. If you don't receive one, you should be able to find the same information available on the grocery company's website. This helps your children learn about the different types of food available while also teaching them about budgeting. 

One New Food

Make a deal with your child to try one new food a week, and allow them to select the food they want to try. By allowing them to choose what food they want you are enabling them to have some control over the situation, which can help them to feel as though they have a choice. By giving them that choice they will be much more likely to try the new item. And make it worth their while. If they try a new food, for example, they'll be allowed to stay up late one evening, or have more television time. 

Cooking Together

Encourage a love of food by having your child cook with you. Cooking together teaches your children tons of life skills. It helps them learn how to prepare dishes, teaches them math because of all of the measuring involved, and exposes them to different ingredients. Children are much more likely to try new foods when they are involved in helping to make them. 

It can be frustrating to want your child to eat healthy only to have them be fairly picky about their foods. Experts all agree that you shouldn't stress too much about it. The more you stress or pressure, the less likely children are to give new foods a real chance.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orange Park, Fla.