Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Picky Schmicky

If I had a nickel for every time I, or someone else with young kids has said, "My kids are picky eaters" I'd be getting a pedicure every week until I turned 88.

But it's true!  And I don't know what to do about it!  With my 3 year old, it's a little easier because I can say, "If you want dessert, you have to eat your veggies."  And I'm fine with her choosing not to eat the veggies and then not getting dessert.  I'll just save 'em for lunch the next day.  My 1 year old is a different story.  Not only does she say, "No!" but it turns into something you'd see on Smackdown! with arms flailing, food flying everywhere, and lots of screaming.  I'm pretty sure I still have food on my wall from an incident in '09.

 It's the constant pleading, arguing, blah, blah, blah that is so draining.  Sometimes I'll give my girls their fruit or veggies that they're to have for dinner around 3:30 because it takes a good 2 hours for them to finish it.  And it usually involves me saying, "Take another bite.....Don't forget to eat your apple!.....Take another bite........C'mon, eat your carrots!"

My husband and I love good food.  We love to cook, and try new recipes.  Sure, I have been known to get incredibly excited over KFC's popcorn chicken, and my husband is chomping at the bit to try their "Double Down" sandwich (you know, the one with the bacon for bread?).  But I think that, for the most part, we model good eating habits for our girls.

Recently, I tried to get creative and tried this.  Not what I'd call successful.

So tell me, mommies.  Share with me your advice and wisdom.  What are your tactics, tricks, mandates for getting your lovely children to eat their fruits and veggies?  I'm all ears!  Let me know, and I'll try them all out and follow up with a post on what worked for my picky eaters!

4 comments:

Rhianna SilEl said...

The only way I've been able to get my son to eat any vegetables at all as by giving him the Apple and Eve Fruitables. Fortunately, he likes fruit so at least that's not a challenge. I've been giving him fruit smoothies lately and he absolutely loves those. We make it a fun activity and I get him to help me measure the yogurt and fruit. He really enjoys it.

I gave up having food battles with him. My son is on the autism spectrum so he doesn't always discern between positive and negative attention. Sometimes he won't eat something that he actually likes to get negative attention. I find that giving him a neutral response is often the best way to get him to actually eat.

Callie said...

Thanks for the great advice, Rhianna! I like your attitude to not make it a battle. And fruit smoothies sounds like a fantastic idea.

Colleen Opitz said...

I bought an digital book on how to get them to eat. We actually don't have much of a problem with Miranda. I bought the book before we found out her real problem--her tonsils. I can "loan" you the book if you like. The gist is to always offer something familiar and that you know they like with something new and/or don't like. I've found that if I keep offering something she'll eventually try it, and may eventually like it.

Colleen Opitz said...

Oh, and I (and the book) agree with Jakki. Have a neutral reaction. If it doesn't get a rouse or much attention from you to NOT eat it, then they won't associate it with that particular food. Food for thought. LOL

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