Trigger Warning: Eating disorders

Parents and guardians: Does your child refuse to eat anything other than chicken nuggets and french fries? While many parents may give into their child’s picky eating habits thinking they will “grow out of it”, this is not always the case for all children. Sometimes this may cause more serious problems in children like Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). ARFID is characterized by extremely picky eaters that have little interest in foods. Children suffering from ARFID do not consume enough calories to grow, causing stalled weight gain and vertical growth. ARFID in adults does not allow them to maintain basic body function resulting in weight loss. It may also cause difficulties at school or work as those suffering from ARFID may have trouble eating with others or need longer times to eat.

For this reason, it is important that picky eating is addressed properly at a young age.

Here are 8 tips for picky eaters:

1. Don’t force or bribe! – This will only reinforce a power struggle with food and your child might begin to associate meals with anxiety or frustration.
2. Don’t make separate meals – Giving your child what they want will only make the pickiness worse. It will never give them a reason to try new foods
3. Make a variety of meals – Variety is an important part of a healthy diet. Kids need to learn early on that they should not expect the same meals every day.
4. Give options – If you can, ask your child if they would rather eat A food or B food. Feeling like they have a say in what they are eating will make them more motivated to eat it. Moreover, serve two vegetables or fruits if you can, so they at least will eat one and hopefully eventually eat the other.
5. Have patience – It may take repeated exposure to just looking, touching, or smelling a new food before a child decides to try it. As a parent, talk about what the food tastes like and if you enjoy it.
6. Make it fun – Cut foods into fun shapes, serve vegetables with their favorite sauce, offer breakfast for dinner, and serve dinner with fun utensils and plates!
7. Include kids in the cooking process – Bring them to the grocery store to pick out food, have them help you cook, and/or ask them to set the table. Involving them in the process will get them excited about the end result of eating the meal.
8. Don’t give dessert as a reward – This sends the message that the other foods SHOULD taste bad, and dessert is the best food. Don’t eliminate dessert altogether, but do not make it more special than other meals.

Here’s how YOU can be a Prevention Partner: