Tips help parents survive 'picky' times with toddlers

Avoiding unfamiliar things is not unusual behavior for toddlers. But, when it comes to eating, having a picky child can send parents up the wall.

"Because parents know how important nutrition is, they often resort to bribery or end up becoming a short order cook just to get a picky child to eat. But, falling into these patterns doesn't help anyone," said Dr. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the USDA's Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

To help parents get through these finicky times, Demory-Luce first reassures them that their responsibility ends with the serving of nutritious foods. "Parent's can't make their children eat. They must do that for themselves," she said.

Instead, she advises desensitizing fussy eaters to one new food at a time. Place small, one- or two-bite portions on their plates, next to more familiar ones, for several days in a row. Then be patient and avoid making any comment whether the food is eaten or not. It 's not unusual for it to take up to ten exposures before a new food is even sampled. Once it is, begin serving it on a regular basis and go on to the next new food.

Keeping a regular schedule for meals and snacks can also help. New foods seem most attractive when a child is hungry, so avoid offering snacks close to mealtimes. To further increase children's interest in food, involve them in meal preparation. And, of course, don't forget to be a good role model.

Healthy Habits
Toddler Nutrition (1 to 3 years of age)