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Picky Eaters

Tips on Pleasing Picky Toddler Palates

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

You may not be able to control how much your toddler eats, but you can ensure that you offer healthy food choices. Allowing a picky eater to choose from a variety of good choices increases the possibility that the child will eat, or eat more. "Parents can control their cupboards and have healthy snacks available," says Pieper. "There are lots of healthy snacks that can be made accessible to toddlers throughout the day. Toddlers do eat better if they are given a choice of three or four items and let them choose."

Be creative with meals as well as with presentation. "My son was a picky eater from his first bite of cereal," says Pam Kock, a mom from southwestern Ohio. "He refuses to try anything new, even if it is one of his favorite foods in a different form. I am looking for ways to present food so that I can trick him into eating more variety or encourage him to try new things. So far, he's been too smart to fall for it – or maybe I haven't been creative enough."

Let the creativity flow when preparing meals for picky eaters. For example, it may not be proper etiquette to allow small children to eat with their hands, but finger foods can be fun and adventurous. Serve hot dogs, French fries, chopped vegetables or fruit in small "bite-size" pieces. In addition, provide various sauces and dips that allow children to "dunk" their food to add to the excitement of mealtime.

Make the situation less stressful for yourself and your toddler – take off the pressure, provide nutritional snacks and allow the child to decide. However, if your child has become a picky eater and you note a substantial weight loss – 15 percent or more – seek medical advice.

Want to see more?

• Toddler Nutrition: Building a Healthy Relationship with Food
• The Challenge of Feeding Your Toddler
• How do we meet our toddler's nutritional needs when he's so picky?
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!
• Take a Dip! Mealtime Options for Toddlers
• Toddlers That Just Won't Eat: Handling Picky Eaters, Light Eaters and Appetite Slumps