Working with a picky eater

Since 1973 the month of March is designated as National Nutrition Month. This year's theme is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right" and encourages us all to embrace our food traditions and experiences; however this task is harder for some than others. Parents often struggle with a picker eater and this can lead to meal time frustrations for both parent and child.

Parents may be interested to know that there are reasons behind picky eating, for example children actually have a higher density of taste buds than adults. This means that certain flavors may be stronger for a younger child. This may be especially true for some of the bitter compounds in dark green vegetables. One method for helping a child get past these sensitive tastes is to change the preparation method, for example roasting vegetables rather than steaming helps breakdown some of the bitter compounds and enhance the sweetness of the vegetables. Taste is not the only sensory area that may be contributing to your picky eater's choices. Children may also have challenges with certain smells or textures, so it is good to look for patterns in the foods that your picky eater accepts or rejects.

A few other tips for those struggling with a picky eater at home include:

• Parents should keep in mind that repetition is helpful for the picky eater; children may need to be presented the same food more than a dozen times before accepting a new food

• Model the behavior you would like to see from your child by being willing to try new foods and displaying a positive attitude

• Have a set schedule of meals and snacks which are offered at a table when possible and with limited distractions such as television

• Avoid meal time power struggles by division of responsibility; meaning the parent is responsible for what is offered the child decides what and how much to eat

• It is okay if your child chooses not to eat much at a given meal, as long as they are growing and gaining weight at an appropriate rate

• Parents should avoid catering meals to only those foods the child likes or preparing special meals for the child. As long as there is at least one item the child likes on the menu you can feel confident they child will eat if hungry. Children have a wonderful ability to self-regulate their food intake and if they eat light at one meal they will likely eat more at another meal or day during the week

• You may also need to limit the amount of beverage that is offered before and during meal time to ensure your child is not filling up on liquids

For more help with a picky eater go to the DoDLive.mil and militaryonesource.mil websites and search for healthy eating. Also if you worry that your picky eater is not growing appropriately discuss your concerns with your pediatrician or primary care provider who can provide you a referral to the nutrition clinic at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.