Expert Advice for Parents of Picky Eaters

SIOUX FALLS (July 1, 2009) - You might be the parent of a picky eater if you…
- Cook two or more meals each night to please your kids - and everyone else.
- Stock up on mac & cheese and chicken nuggets for those times when nothing else will fly.
- Try just about anything to get your kids to eat vegetables.

Picky eating is a common behavior that crops up during toddlerhood, said Dr. Kara Bruning, pediatrician with Avera McGreevy Clinic in Sioux Falls. "It's a way they can control their environment. There are so many things a toddler is not in control of, but they can decide what to eat or not to eat."

Pickiness may center on anything that looks or smells different, or a specific food group, like vegetables. "Sometimes it varies. A child may eat green beans one day, but the next day be unwilling to touch a green bean with a 10-foot pole." Usually, pickiness is something children will outgrow, and it's not something to worry about.

Some parents fear their children aren't getting adequate nutrition, and will go to any length to coax the child to eat a decent meal. As far as your child's health is concerned, there's nothing wrong with cooking to suit your child's whims. But that can be inconvenient for the parent, it may not fit with your family's lifestyle, and allows the child to stay in control, Dr. Bruning said.

"Kids are not going to starve themselves, but they are very smart," Dr. Bruning said. "They won't eat breakfast but know if they wait an hour they'll get a cookie. And then they won't eat lunch but know that if they wait they will get fruit snacks. Kids will eat if they're hungry enough. But they know how to work the system." Giving a multivitamin each day helps ensure kids are getting the nutrients they need.

It's the parent's job to provide healthy food choices for their children; it's the kids' job to eat it, Dr. Bruning said. "Don't try to force feed your child, or make it a battle of wills. That's not going to help your cause."

Serve healthy meals three times a day, or even several times throughout the day, Dr. Bruning said. "It's OK if your child's a grazer, that's very normal, especially for toddlers." Don't feel like your child has to eat every food group at every meal. If she only eats macaroni and cheese at lunch, try some fruit at snack time. "Try to be creative on how to get different foods into their diet."

Place a variety of foods in small amounts on your child's plate. If he doesn't eat the vegetables, don't make an issue of it, but keep trying. "Some kids will go for disguising vegetables with a little cheese sauce or ranch dressing. That's not as healthy as plain vegetables, but if they'll eat it, it counts," Dr. Bruning said. Kids who won't eat cooked vegetables may eat them raw.

Even if kids leave certain foods untouched meal after meal, keep placing it before them, Dr. Bruning said. "It usually takes trying something 10 times to decide it isn't so bad."
Peer influence often helps - a reason why kids often eat better at daycare than at home. Try inviting other children the same age over to eat, Dr. Bruning suggested.

While parents tend to worry about their children eating too little, the bigger problem in our society is overindulgence and obesity. "Obesity can happen at any age," Dr. Bruning said.
 
Type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent in kids. Doctors are starting to see elevated cholesterol in kids, and even hardening of the arteries. Children need "baby fat" under a year of age. But if a 2-year-old is off the growth charts in weight, it might be time to consider his or her eating habits.

"It's often the family's eating habits that contribute to childhood obesity," Dr. Bruning said. "Just say no" to high fat or sugary drinks and snacks. As a family, make better food choices, and place a priority on staying active. "Go for a walk together, swim, play soccer or something else to get more active."

While children need adequate food to grow and thrive, don't encourage them to eat too much. "Clean your plate" is a rule many people grew up with, but it's better to let children stop eating when they're full. "Hang in there," is Dr. Bruning's bottom line advice to parents of picky eaters. "Most kids grow up to be good eaters." 

For more health information for children and parenting advice, go to www.AveraChildrens.org.