Tips to Make Your Picky Eater Toddler Eat
When it comes to feeding a fussy toddler, offering a variety of nutrient-rich foods is key. Opt for familiar favourites while gradually introducing new items. Incorporate colourful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into their meals. Creative presentations, such as fun shapes or arranging food in a visually appealing manner, can capture their interest.
Sneak in nutrients by blending veggies into smoothies or incorporating them into familiar dishes. Finger foods and interactive snacks like yoghurt with toppings or whole-grain crackers with cheese can also be enticing for fussy eaters.
Undoubtedly, dealing with a picky eater can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can try to encourage your toddler to eat a more varied and nutritious diet:
1. Offer a variety of foods
First, introduce a diverse range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. This provides more opportunities for your toddler to find something they like.
2. Be a role model
Moreover, demonstrate healthy eating habits by enjoying a variety of foods yourself. Children often imitate their parents’ behaviours.
3. Make food fun
Nonetheless, create visually appealing and fun presentations of food. Use cookie cutters to make interesting shapes or creatively arrange colourful fruits and vegetables. Creating a colourful and visually appealing plate can also make the dining experience more enticing.
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4. Involve them in cooking
Moreover, allow your toddler to participate in age-appropriate cooking activities. Let them choose fruits or veggies at the grocery store, and engage them in simple tasks in the kitchen. Involvement in the preparation process can make them more interested in trying the finished dish.
5. Offer small portions
Serve smaller portions to avoid overwhelming your toddler. You can always offer more if they ask for it.
6. Limit distractions
Minimise distractions during mealtime, such as turning off the TV or putting away electronic devices. This helps your toddler focus on eating.
7. Be patient and persistent
It may take multiple exposures for a child to accept a new food. Be patient and continue offering a variety of options.
8. Don’t force or pressure
Avoid pressuring your toddler to eat. This can create negative associations with certain foods. Instead, make mealtimes a positive and enjoyable experience. Maintaining a relaxed mealtime environment without pressure can help reduce stress around food, making it more likely for your toddler to try new things over time.
9. Offer choices
Provide your toddler with limited choices to give them a sense of control. For example, ask if they want carrots or peas with their meal.
10. Sneak in nutrients
Image from Lazada Singapore
Incorporate healthy ingredients into familiar dishes. For instance, blend vegetables into sauces, add fruit to yoghurt or use fun products such as Alce Nero, the secret weapon in your arsenal.
Here’s why: Alce Nero’s pasta shapes turn mealtime into an adventure, engaging even the most reluctant eaters. Their Tricolore line, colored with spinach and tomato, sneaks in veggies without raising red flags.
Crafted from organic durum wheat semolina without any additives, Alce Nero provides wholesome goodness. Its bronze-drawn texture allows sauces to cling perfectly, delivering bursts of flavor in each bite. With its diverse pasta selection, Alce Nero ensures there’s a favorite for everyone.
Singaporean parents adore Alce Nero, which won the prestigious title of Best Kids’ Pasta at the 2024 TAP Awards by theAsianparent. Purchase online HERE.
