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Focus On Nutrition
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Previously Asked Questions
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Help! My toddler is such a picky eater! She turns up her nose at most of the food I offer and insists on eating the same foods day after day! I don’t think her diet is balanced.
Answer
Picky eating and food jags are common in children. As tastes change, they will accept some foods and reject others with great gusto. Keep in mind that children usually balance the foods they eat over several days (or even weeks), not by individual meals or by single days. Also, remember that mealtime means nothing to young children if they are not hungry. You may want to serve meals earlier or later, whenever your child is most hungry.
Be patient and flexible. If your picky eater won't eat rice, serve another food from the same food group, such as bread or dry cereal. Does your child favor foods in a certain food group? If so, offer the current favorite food, along with small servings of one or two foods from other food groups. Creating a positive, pleasant environment for your child rather than drawing attention to poor eating habits can have a positive impact on future attempts at food acceptance. As they grow older, children will be more willing to try new foods.
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