How to Handle a Picky Eater

If your child is a picky eater, then Dr. Patcharin Amornvipas, a pediatrician specializing in pediatric nutrition at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, has some useful solutions. The doctor will let you know how to slowly change the picky eating behavior in children.

You can start by offering a variety of foods because always eating the same food might be boring to your child. You can switch to other kinds of meat and decorate his plate with colorful foods. You can also use different cooking methods, such as deep frying, steaming, stir frying, etc. There are also some food supplements in the market that you can give your child, such as milk products or nutritional supplements for children.

A picky eater appears to lack the nutritional balance that he/she should receive in a day. This will affect the child’s learning ability. A child who lacks enough iron will have poor cognitive skills, memory and learning ability, while protein energy malnutrition will affect muscle tissue and immune system development.

You can help your picky eater by providing him/her with positive role models in eating nutritious foods from the five groups. Have your child sit at a table with adults so as to increase his/her food appetite. Use a colorful cartoon character plate. Do not give your child a snack before a meal. Meal times should be about 30 minutes. Let your child feed himself/herself. Slowly change the eating behavior. Do not put pressure your child. Use positive reinforcement such as compliments, rewards, etc. which may make your child happier when eating nutritious food.