If you have a picky eater, mealtime can be challenging. Here are 4 tips to make mealtime manageable:
1. Remove the demands at mealtime.
Stop repeatedly asking your child to take a bite or finish what is on their plate. Instead, focus on having a distraction-free conversation that does not revolve around food. Increase food exposure throughout the day to decrease sensitivity.
2. Give your child special jobs that center around food.
Encourage your child to help in making snacks for family members. This provides them the opportunity to touch and smell different foods without the pressure of having to eat them. Ask them to help you make the grocery list or do the actual grocery shopping. You can also ask your child to set the table or help with meal prep.
3. When offering new foods to your child, allow them to experience the food with all their senses.
First, have your child touch it to their lips. It may look like a crumb size bite. Then, have your child smell the new food, and while touching it discuss the texture. Don’t offer new foods with their preferred food, they will always choose the preferred food. Offer new foods with something that your child will eat, but is not their favorite.
4. Make mealtimes enjoyable family activities.
Every mealtime should be free from devices or television. Serve the meal family-style while passing the dishes around the table. The child can choose what to add to their plate. This gives the child the opportunity to see the food and smell it as it is passed. They can use a spoon or tongs to serve themselves or others next to them. Mealtimes can be a great way to expand your child’s language and have a positive experience with food without pressure.
These are just a few things you can do to make your child more comfortable around the foods they’re unfamiliar and uncomfortable with. Encouraging exploration and minimizing pressure will make meal time easier for the whole family.
Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in the Iowa City, IA area and Des Moines, IA area. We provide individual speech-language therapy and tutoring as well as offering small group academic programs. At Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center our passion is to help kids achieve effective communication skills and gain academic success. Contact us for more information on how we can help your child succeed.
info@enrichmenttherapies.com
740 Community Drive, Unit A
North Liberty, IA 52317
319-626-2553
infodm@enrichmenttherapies.com
5530 West Pkwy, Suite 300
Johnston, IA 50131
515-419-4270
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