Top tips for picky eaters
Sandi
“As a parent, it's my job to make sure they do the things that keep them safe and allow them to become well-rounded, capable adults. And, for us, that includes having a diverse palate and a balanced diet.”
As a mom of five kids, all of whom have food intolerances and allergies, and are being raised vegan, this is a topic close to my heart. It may not be a popular opinion, but I have a low tolerance for pickiness.
A child being picky tends to fall into the "disorders of privilege" category for me. There are many things that are non-negotiable between parents and children. My kids didn't always want to sit in a car seat, or have a harness buckled across them. They don't like going to bed, or taking naps, throwing tremendous temper tantrums. We squabble about tweens taking a bath or shower. As a parent, it's my job to make sure they do the things that keep them safe and allow them to become well-rounded, capable adults. And, for us, that includes having a diverse palate and a balanced diet.
So why is it, as parents, that we have this permissive attitude about food? I've read it all... "pick your battles"... "kids want to have control over their lives"... etc. But a child's diet is linked to a whole host of global wellness (or problems). If we allow our kids to eat what pleases them, when does it stop? I know plenty of adults who eat like toddlers now and it always surprises me.
I think the answer begins in the first year of life. Kids will eat what their parents eat. It never fails — if you want a child to like something, model that behavior. You can't expect a kid to eat Brussels sprouts when everyone else is eating ice cream. If they hear a parent turning up their nose to new foods, they're going to behave the same way. Start them young on whole, unprocessed foods. And most importantly, don't buy it. Don't buy it. There is no person on this earth that requires premade cookies, bags of chips, drive-through or soda. Everyone in your home will be better off if you just don't bring that stuff in the door.
The more sugar and fat your palate is accustomed to, the more it needs to trigger those dopamine reactions (the pleasure center of the brain). Have you ever decided to cut back on sugar and soon began to notice that even lettuce and carrots are much sweeter than you remembered? If kids never have the experience of eating processed, refined foods, they won't want them.
The one caveat I will mention is that there are legitimate sensory issues that prevent children from eating certain foods. My opinions are based on a neurotypical child who does not have special considerations.