Our Picky Eaters
Our friend Catherine Whiting, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, offers several suggestions for dealing with our picky eaters during the holiday season:
Thanksgiving is an excellent time to involve your whole family, especially picky eaters, in the joy of food. The emphasis is on FOOD, not the pressure of eating.
1. First the exposure and comfort in being around the food is necessary before the action of eating. Just like reading a story book, show pictures of yummy foods in food magazines and cook books.
2. Talk about ingredients and where they come from, such as cranberries growing in a bog. Talk about Grandma's favorite dish she makes every year or a new dish you will try for the first time.
3. Have children wash, stir, measure, etc. Smell the cinnamon or and the sage.
4. Paper placemats could be colored or menus could be decorated.
5. Talk about what food will be placed on their plate even if not eaten.
6. Reinforce the rule that no words such as "yuck" are said, only "no thanks".
7. Sitting at the table at least 15 minutes even if done is polite since others are still sitting there.
8. They need to watch others enjoy food and try the new recipes cooked. Don't let Grandpa force the issue with "He needs to have a bite before he can get up."
9. Emphasize what the child CAN do. Instead of "he doesn't eat turkey" (which the child hears and then agrees with) say, "he can have different foods on his plate to see and touch and smell."
10. Have fun!!!
