Eating a nutritious balanced diet can
sometimes be difficult. It is important that children (as well as the
parents/guardians) eat well for healthy growth and development but some
children simply will not eat fruit or vegetables. As you are finding with your LO. However, these foods provide micro
nutrients (vitamins and minerals) essential for good health.
You may have found that
as a baby he was happy to eat your pureed vegetables but as he started to
grow and become aware of who he was, he taste buds changed and dinner time
became a challenge. So why not try the following:
1.Hide foods within food! For example, add carrots
or grated courgettes to bolognaise sauces. You can also easily puree fruits and
add a small amount to yoghurts, fromage frais.
2. Encourage him to cook with you. Make food fun. Sometimes
the process of cooking and taking part can be very beneficial for children. Not
only does it help them understand food and how we cook but the simple taking
part can be very rewarding for them. They are more likely to want to try what
they are baking.
3. Don’t force him to eat something he really
doesn't like, but encourage him to try just a little. Do this with the same food he is rejecting a few times and you may find that after several meals he may
adjust to it. This doesn’t always work so don’t be too frustrated with him.
Sometimes, children just do not like certain foods. We do this as adults, so why
should children be any different.
4. Compliment them when they do try a new
food/meal.
5. Make fruit fun, chop it into small pieces and be
artistic on the plate, you can even make funny faces with the food.
6.Try making fruit smoothies rather than chocolate
ones. Add some chilled bananas, milk,
and a small handful of blueberries in a blender. The milkshake will turn
purple/blue!!. Strawberry and raspberry smoothies are also delicious.
Hopefully some of my tips will work for you ! Good luck with it.
