How Do You Handle Your Kids and Their Changing Food Habits?

You can't make them eat what they don't want.(Well, you can stand over them and threaten them, but it will always backfire one way or another, and it's just not worth it.) All kids go through this to the point where you wonder what keeps them going. Just keep offering what you want them to eat, keep them at the table until you're done, and no drama. Kids' eating habits change many times over the years. Mealtimes should be a time to sit down together and have fun talking about your day, not a stress-filled battle that you can't win. When you're done, go about your evening routine as usual.

Stick to your healthy meals! Don't cave in to your hubby! This is totally a phase. My son gave up almost all fruits and all veggies from the age 4 until he turned 8. He has now decided they are ok again. In the meantime, to keep him from getting an improper diet, I became a master of hiding veggies in his food. It's amazing what you can pulverize and hide in meatloaf!

As far as skipping meals, this is ok too as long as they don't start losing weight. They will get hungry again and want their dinner. Just make sure they aren't snacking in such a manner that ruins their appetite.

Finally, it doesn't sound like you do this, but just in case... please don't force them to 'clean their plates' at each meal! We don't serve dessert at our house for this very reason. We have an entire generation of adults walking around that were forced to eat every last bite of food at each meal, and look at us! We lead the world in obesity! I can't think of a worse habit to teach kids than to keep eating once they are full, even if it means stuffing themselves beyond the point of comfortable. Ever wonder why people can't stop eating? I'll bet you 9 out of 10 obese adults were forced to eat every last food on their plates as children. I'd bet a 100 bucks on that!

Good luck!

it's totally normal... and dont' push them to eat (unless they are losing weight and it's a medical issue). continue to offer healthy choices, and they will eat when hungry... it will develop long term healthy eating habits. stick to your guns.. .good job!

I generally have the same rule about food - I don't make them something different unless it's something a bit too adult for them - spicy curry, for instance. They are, at any time, welcome to make themselves a sandwhich instead of what I've made for dinner.

They've both gone through periods where they only pick at their food at times. I generally start to limit snack food to only healthy options when they start doing this, to make sure what they ARE eating is nutritious, but other than that, don't stress about it.

At dinner, we have the 'one thing' rule. There are allowed to chose not to eat one thing on their plate. So if I've made something with mushrooms in it, and someone isn't in the mood for mushrooms, they can pick it out. But only ONE thing. Everything else has to be at least tried.

My boys are 4 and 6, btw. I hope this helps.

Don't cave into processed foods! I was in my doctor's office this morning, and there was this video playing about healthy eating habits. I want to look up the study- it was astounding! The study was done on 4 generations of cats. Basically the findings were that eating the unhealthy foods not only affected that individual cat, but its offspring as well.

Anyways, I have always had the same policy at my house whether it be my own children (eight year old twins) or any other child visiting. I announce what we will be having as I begin cooking. Input is welcome if they want me to change it up a bit (i.e. "we want cooked carrots instead of asparagus"). The rule is that you eat what is prepared or you do not eat.

It is summer, it is hot and they may not be as hungry as usual. Lots of people eat less in the summer. Give them smaller portions. As they eat, add a little more.. no comments..

Also remember childrens taste buds are changing all of the time. They also begin to become more aware of odors and the textures of foods.

Peas may have tasted fine at one point, but now the skin may seem strange and the pea itself slightly bitter..

Yes, it will go in phases. Teach your child manners about meals and foods. No ugly faces, and ugly comments. It is polite to try all of the food. No spitting out. But if they do not try everything, just leave it. Once again whatever they do eat, give them a tiny bit more.

It is good to be a brave taster.. But it is not worth a battle at meal times and it is not a reflection on you or your cooking if they do not care for what you have prepared.

In our home, if you do not want what has been prepared, you may have a bowl of non sugar cereal with no ugly comments.

Have patience. Remember there are foods you do not care for or may not be in the mood for, so you choose not to eat. So why do we expect young children to have to eat everything ?

I am sending you strength.

My boys (8.5 & 4.5) sometimes skip meals. I tell them the samething everytime they don't like what I'm serving. I tell them 'You have to eat 1 bite (a thank you bite) of everything on your plate then you can be done, but you will not get anything else until the next meal/snack'. I also have the problem with one wanting to do what the other is & sometimes when one says he is done the other is suddenly done too.
Don't give up! It is just a phase & it will pass.

God bless!