Abbott Global

Do You Think Kids Are Picky Eaters By Nature?

Based on a poll of 207 Abbott readers | Start Date:28^th September 2010 | End Date: 21^st October 2010

Many kids fuss over food. Some want to eat the same thing every day. Others will not touch vegetables. A few just hold food in their mouth and, never want to swallow. Often, meal times take hours.

If you are a Mum or a Dad with a child who is a picky eater, you must wonder why. Is it nature or nurture?

Our Abbott straw poll of Mums and Dads show that:

37% believe that picky eating habits are learnt.
- Ouch! You must wonder what went wrong along the way.
Only a minority (19%) believe that they are programmed by nature to be picky.
- Ok! Before you start pointing fingers at each other, try to work together to manage the feeding difficulties.

Some people believe that this is a passing condition while others worry that it may last for some time. Sometimes picky eating, as it is commonly called, may actually be caused by a more serious underlying feeding difficulty.

Knowing that good nutrition is fundamental to a child's growth, parents worry if picky eating phases will impact their child both in the short and long term. If you are worried about your child's eating habits, here are some easy tips for you to try to understand and manage feeding difficulties.

Identify a picky eater

Here are some clues to help you identify a picky eater early. Look out when your baby / child shows the following signs:

Refuses to eat
Plays with food
Eats less than usual
Dislikes vegetables, fruit, meat or milk
Dislikes chewing
Demands the same food at every meal
Prefers 'junk food' to healthy food
Makes a mess on the table
Throws tantrums at mealtimes

Know the causes

Kids fuss over food for many reasons. Here are some reasons:

Changes in appetite associated with overall growth
Extreme sensitivity to taste, smell and texture of foods
Dislike for the colour or texture of a certain food
A natural tendency to imitate a parent's (or someone else's) picky eating
Reaction to punishment
Reaction to 'food rewards' given to ensure food consumption

Know the consequences

If picky eating lasts a while, it may impact:

Growth
Immunity
Learning ability
Energy level
Long term health

Deal with picky eating

Make mealtimes relaxed and fun.
Introduce only one new food at a time
Serve small portion sizes when introducing new foods. Gradually move on to bigger portions
Resist giving your child sweets and fried foods to encourage him to eat
Involve the child in buying food by taking him to the supermarket or letting him choose the menu for 1 day a week
Set a good example. Eat healthy foods with enthusiasm. Never talk about disliking healthy foods when your child is present
Educate your child. Look for opportunities to teach your child the benefits of healthy eating
In the interim, for peace of mind and good nutrition, use a complete and balanced nutrition supplement to full up the nutrient gaps in your child's diet
If the problem persists, see a doctor and discuss your child's feeding difficulty

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For expert advice on paediatric nutrition, please contact Abbott Nutrition Careline at 6278-6220.