Is Your Child a Fussy Eater?

What?! My child finished his vegetables in school?

He will not eat any at home!

Here is what you can do in:

1. Food preparation
1. ‘Hide’ the vegetables in soups, pasta sauce, porridge and dishes
2. Cut the vegetables into tiny pieces so that your child cannot differentiate the vegetables amidst the rest of the ingredients
3. Have a mix of vegetables so that the dish looks colourful
4. Prepare the meal together! (Children are always excited to eat the food that they prepared themselves.)

2. Serving the food
1. Mix all the food together - eg. the fish, the rice and the vegetables all in a bowl and serve it as a bowl of food instead of all the ingredients in visible portions
2. Put your child’s favourite food at the topmost layer of the bowl so that it is what he sees first and he will be motivated to eat
3. If you have the time, serve the vegetables in an interesting way - eg. the carrots cut like stars, the cucumber cut in strips

Phrases to avoid.

“Vegetables are good for you. Please finish it.” Or “You have to finish your vegetables.”

“Let’s finish your bowl of food before we read a book (insert the next activity after the meal), ok?”

Sharing is Caring / Leading by Example

1. Therefore, you can eat carrot sticks with dips or a salad with a mix of fruits and vegetables. When you’re eating, offer to share it with your child. “Want to have some of this?”

2. Always excite the child to look forward to the meal. “I can’t wait to eat this soup!” (as you’re stirring the spinach soup on the stove) or “This is going to be so delicious!” (as you mix the vegetables and fruits in the salad bowl)