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Eat, Please
The Challenge of Feeding Your Toddler
By Alison Gamble
A child may develop something called a "food jag." A food jag is when the child gets stuck on a eating certain food. In college, during our discussions on food jags, a classmate voiced concern about her nephew's desire to eat only garlic bread. My teacher's reply was not one of concern -- she told us food jags are temporary and not harmful to the child's nutrition status. The child will come around when ready -- food jags don't last forever.
Here are some suggestions taken from The Yale Guide to Children's Nutrition Status, by Dr.William V. Tamborlane:
- Prepare relatively simple meals
Present the child with small portions on a small plate- Allow the child to ask for more food and drink
- Do not insist that the child finish the meal before having dessert. Consider serving the dessert with the meal to de-emphasize dessert.
- Praise the child for trying new foods and for exhibiting appropriate behavior at the table.
- Use mealtime as a time to discuss positive things such as good deeds, good behaviors or nice work done that day.
