Coping with a Picky Eater

• Toddlers...and kids commonly go on "food jags". That is, they want to eat the same food day after day. Go with it! It will run it's course, and it won't be terrible if your toddler is deficient in a few food groups for a couple of weeks. After a few weeks, vary the favorite food or menu slightly.
• Avoid feeding too often. Spacing meals and snacks at specific intervals is important so he/she will feel hungry. Then again, some kids may fill up at one meal and cruise until empty
• Serve simpler foods to keep flavors fresh and true!
• It's okay if your child leaves food on the plate.
• Never force, pressure, or bribe your child to clean his plate. Toddlers have small tummies and short attention spans. When your child is hungry he/she will eat and should NEVER be expected to eat to please you.
• Expect toddlers to object, reject, or complain about new or all food on the his/her plate. Keep serving the new food periodically so you do not contribute to his pickiness.
• Toddlers may consistently refuse certain types of foods. Respect his/her preferences if they are strong and few -- You don't like everything either.
• Introduce a sample size of a new food when your child is hungry; and only introduce one new food at a time.
• Offer a variety of easy to manage foods, but never bribe and do not create a power struggle if your child refuses to eat.
• Relax. Pushing your child to eat gives him negative attention and increases pickiness; and worrying only makes things worse.