How to Support Children Who are Fussy Eaters

Many families experience the challenges of feeding a fussy eater. Parents want to ensure children are getting the nutrition they need for growth and development, but struggle to find foods that children are happy to eat. Children develop many likes and dislikes when it comes to food and it can be difficult to encourage them to try new foods. Fussy eating can be very common in early childhood. It may not always be about the food, but more about independence, control and autonomy.

Here are some tips for supporting fussy eaters:

1.      Be a role model – role modelling positive eating habits for your child can have a significant impact on the way they eat. Children often follow their parent’s lead. Show them that how to sit down and eat and enjoy a meal. Talk to them about the foods you like and how foods can help our bodies and minds.

2.      Make mealtimes fun and social – Where possible sit together as a family for mealtimes. Having casual conversations and sharing stories about your day can take the focus away from the food and more about spend quality time together.

3.      Presentation matters – get creative with how food is presented to children. Think about using a variety of colours and patterns. Consider making funny faces or rainbows with the food to make it more appealing.

4.      Involve children in cooking - cooking can be a fun experience for children and a great opportunity for children to prepare their own food and see what goes into each meal. It may also support children who are craving autonomy and independence.

5.      Appeal to their senses – Invite children to try new foods by introducing bite size pieces of food. Encourage them to smell, touch and taste and describe what each food item tastes like. There is a chance that they might take a liking to a new food and ask for more of it.

6.      Give choices – where possible, offer children some choice when it comes to mealtimes. For example, would you like to have rice or pasta? Would you prefer a chicken or beef burger? What 3 toppings would you like on your pizza? This will help children to feel more in control of their meal.

7.      Pick your battles – try not to make each meal time a battle with fussy eaters. It can often make the situation worse and cause more stress and anxiety for parent and child. You may decide to focus on a particular mealtime each day to implement strategies. For example, focussing on breakfast or dinner and allowing your child to graze throughout the day.

At Sage, we will always work closely with families to support children’s healthy eating habits. Our educators will share tips on positive eating practices and will also keep you well informed on your child’s eating habits in care. We will share popular recipes with families, and our wonderful programs such as Munch & Move and Garden to Table, will educate children on food and nutrition and support a positive ongoing relationship with food throughout their lives.

Sage educator sharing mealtime with children - encouraging connections, conversation, and healthy eating habits.