Why is family mealtime such mayhem?! Do you get frustrated after you make a large family meal and your kids only take two bites? Or maybe you wish that there were some go-to meals that everyone could agree upon. The good news is that taking control of the dinner hour is within your reach!
So many of my clients face this problem – and maybe you do too. Whether you are dealing with picky eaters, rushed mealtime or other dinner table dilemmas, this year’s Nutrition Month 2017 campaign has a solution. Plug your problem into their three-step approach to Take the Fight out of Food. Here’s an example of how it works:
Kayla works full-time and prepares dinner for her family every night. She often struggles to get a meal on the table that everyone will enjoy. One child is quite picky, one doesn’t want to try new things, and no one agrees on the foods they like.
Step 1: Spot The Problem
Kayla’s struggle is making family meals that everyone will enjoy.
Step 2: Get The Facts
Kayla visits www.dietitians.ca and searches “picky eaters.” She reads that parents and children have different jobs at mealtime – and she’d never thought about it that way before. Her job is to decide which nourishing foods are served, when dinnertime is, and where they will eat. It’s then up to her children to decide what and how much to eat from what she offers.
Kayla is relieved to have a framework for a plan, with separate roles for herself and her kids. She quickly realizes that some small changes can make mealtime more enjoyable for everyone. Now that she knows that it’s her children’s job to determine how much to eat, she can stop telling them to “eat everything on their plate.” Plus, she now knows not to let the kids decide where they want to eat, which is often in front of the TV instead of at the dinner table.
As she continues to read information about picky eating on Eat Right Ontario and Healthlink BC websites, she learns that children take their nutrition cues from their parents, so she can set a good example by preparing and eating nourishing choices. She admits to herself that she rarely eats vegetables, and realizes her kids won’t either! She also finds out that:
Children’s appetites can be erratic and that’s okay! The amount her children eat will vary each day depending on their appetite, fatigue, activity level and if they are having a growth spurt. It doesn’t always mean they are picky – it is normal.
Getting kids involved with grocery shopping, prepping and cooking food can help them become more interested in trying new things.
It can take 8-15 tastes or more before a child will like a new food.
Kids may seem picky or may eat a small amount because they are simply not hungry at meal times.
It’s best to offer three meals and two or three snacks at regular times each day and to make sure kids aren’t grazing throughout the day. This will help the kids come to the table hungry since even a little milk, juice or few crackers can spoil a child’s appetite.
Step 3: Seek Support
Kayla feels better knowing that she’s not the only mom with picky eaters. She learns that up to 35 per cent of toddlers and preschoolers are described by their parents as picky eaters too!
Here are some things that Kayla can do:
Join some online support groups to talk to other parents about mealtime craziness. They share stories, swap recipes and inspire each other.
Speak to a dietitian. I often see clients and help them with mealtime solutions that are family-friendly. You can find a dietitian in your area or try your local grocery store, which may have staff dietitians who offer grocery store tours and cooking classes for kids.
Get your kids involved. This can be with shopping, prepping and cooking meals will make them more interested in family meals! Start by cooking these kid-friendly options.
Look for more recipes on the Cookspiration app, and choose one that is marked as “kid approved” or “kids choice.”
Do you have a food fight that you struggle with? Try the three-step approach to Take the Fight out of Food and make your commitment official here.
Did you know that Dietitians of Canada has led Nutrition Month Campaign for more than 30 years? This blog post was adapted from materials found on the DC Nutrition Month website.
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