Nutrition Science and Everyday Application - beta v 0.1

RAISING HEALTHY EATERS 611
THE PICKY EATER
All young children can be picky when it comes to food and refuse to try new foods; this is
normal behavior. It is only a concern when children get stuck with being picky. Follow the
division of responsibility and adjust your expectations. Steer clear of the following traps that
can limit food acceptance:
• Catering the menu to only child-friendly foods or favorite foods
• Making a separate meal when your child complains about what is offered
• Asking your child what they want to eat
• Pressuring your child to eat
• Offering food outside of scheduled meal and snack time
The biggest goal with a finicky eater is to not make eating an issue, and to have mealtime be
pleasant. Provide the structure of scheduled meals and snacks, and the permission for your
child to choose from what is offered, with no pressure.
For more information on how to raise a healthy eater check out the following
resources:
• Satter, E. (2008). Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family: How To Eat, How To Raise Good
Eaters, How to Cook. Madison, WI: Kelcy Press.
• Satter, E. (2000). Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense. Boulder, CO: Bull
Publishing Company. Ellynsatterinstitute.org
Self-Check:
An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/nutritionscience/?p=1651#h5p-58
References:
• 1 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2019). Family Meals: Small Investment Big
Payoff. Retrieved from https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/eating-as-a-family/