Being a mother is hard work. Not only are you their world, but you are also their caretaker as well. That’s why, when your child decides to be a picky eater, things can get frustrating. Not only do you need to cook, you need to cater to their preferences as well, which can be as varied and as specific as liking chicken but only eating it if it is in cubes. Catering to their demands might seem like the best way as well, just so that you can avoid the hassle of trying to get them to eat it. Rather than cave in, try these tips on how to deal with a picky eater instead:
Show Them Where Their Food Comes From
One of the most obvious reasons why children are picky eaters is because they have no connection with the food that they are eating. It’s easy to reject a plate in front of you when you do not understand where it came from or the effort that was put into creating it. That’s why there are several steps that you can take towards showing your children where their food comes from, and the first step should be to a local farmer’s market. Talk to the farmers and show them the fresh food first hand. Have them pick out the food they think looks best.
Grow Your Own
The next step is to take them to a farm or to grow your own fruits and vegetables with them. Having your children grow their own food will help them create a very personal connection with it, meaning that even if its something they hate, like a carrot, they will be far more inclined to eat it when the time comes.
Teach Them How to Cook
Another great way to help circumvent their picky eater tendencies is to teach them how to cook and, more importantly, have your children help you cook every single day. Not only does this mean less work for you, in the long run, but it also means that your children will know how to properly cook healthy, nutritious meals for themselves once they finally move out. For now, have them choose a recipe from online, and chose an option such as fried turkey breast, and use this to prepare the meal.
There are two main reasons why this will work, one, because the meal was your child’s choice, and two, because they were there every step of the way. The sense of pride that comes from finishing a meal should never be underestimated. Of course, if all else fails your child might just be too tired to pick a fight over what they are eating, and you can enjoy the meal in peace.
There are so many ways you can expand your child’s pallet, but you must first deal with their preconceived notions regarding food. Help them build a real connection to the ingredients that are on their plate, and bring them in on the cooking process. By being involved, you can help them connect with their food and enjoy every single bite.