Seema is very worried about her six-year-old daughter, Soumya. Soumya makes a face at the sight of food. In reality, she is a picky eater, meaning she is very choosy when it comes to food. Such children often refuse new foods and dislike foods with certain colors, tastes, or textures. This behavior is typically seen between the ages of two and six, and sometimes even older. In such a situation, parents' biggest concern is how their children will get the proper nutrition.

Nutritional Deficiency

According to a 2020 study in the Journal of Nutrition, picky eaters are often deficient in essential nutrients, such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, and protein. This affects their growth and mental development. Furthermore, these children are most likely to experience energy deficiencies. Experts in the study advised parents to find creative ways to improve their children's diets so they can have a balanced diet.

Feed and Teach

Tina is five years old and a very picky eater, just like Soumya. So one day, her mother served her broccoli and called it a 'small tree.' Tina was surprised, "Is this a tree?" Her mother smiled, "Yes, a small forest tree!" Tina tasted it and finished it without making a face. Now, her mother feeds Tina each vegetable with a story, allowing her to learn something new along with proper nutrition.

Family Style

Every tradition has different ways of preparing and eating food. Some are eaten with hands, some with a spoon. Some serve pickles with food, while others serve papad, yogurt, and chutney. So, to ensure proper nutrition for your picky child, make mealtime fun. Sometimes incorporate your family's style, another. This can be a great way to teach and feed your child.

Involve Her

An effective way to connect children with food is to involve them in the process of cooking or purchasing vegetables. When you go to the market, take your child with you and let them choose their favorite vegetables. At home, assign small kitchen tasks, such as washing salad, decorating the plate, or helping with rolling the roti. Also, repeatedly reiterate that the child prepared today's meal. This kind of participation increases their interest in food.

Don't Tempt

Don't tempt children with their favorite treats, such as chocolate or sweets, to feed them. Doing so will increase the importance of that particular treat in their minds, not the food itself, and you will never be able to get rid of their picky eating.

Mildly Sweet and Salty Homemade Food

Nutritionist Dr. Kanishka Singh explains that most children are picky eaters in childhood, which is a natural process. This tendency is exacerbated by the abundance of choices available to today's children. Parents' excessive anxiety and the products bought based on advertising distract children from home-cooked food. In the past, babies were breastfed for a long time, but now sweet weaning foods are introduced as early as six months, allowing them to become accustomed to a specific taste. It's best to offer mildly sweet and salty homemade foods initially. Offer fresh, seasonal fruits, as the effects of early foods last longer. Avoid screen time during mealtimes.

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