Rainbow Blog

Picky Eater in the House?

posted by: Kia

I want to talk about Picky Eaters!!! We have all had the experience of either being a picky eater or having to feed one. I for one fall under the first category…sorry Mom! Apparently when I was a toddler I would go so far as to pick the carrots out of carrot cake. It’s rather ironic that I would then go on to create a product that is all about getting kids to eat their fruits and veggies! I think picky eating has a few different causes.
1. Texture. Vegetables that have been over cooked get all mushy and yucky…it is only in the past 5 years that I have been able to begin eating cooked vegetables and that’s because I finally figured out that just a quick steam is good enough as it leaves the veggies nice and crunchy!

2. Quality. Produce that is past its prime can be chewy and flavourless…not a good combination.

3. Consistency. I can attest to the fact that you need to try new foods over and over again to aquire a liking. So keep trying with you kids and eventually they might surprise you!

4. Taste Buds. Everyone has different taste preferrances and I think some of us are just born with extra sensitive taste buds which lead us to scrunch up our faces at certain flavours, textures and smells. So it’s okay if your child has certain foods that they just don’t like…just make sure they have given it a fair shot first!

5. Special Treatment. My dear mother would cook a meal and then cook a seperate one for me because she was worried that I wouldn’t eat if she didn’t. As a parent I can certainly understand this however I think this can lead to encouraging picky eating. If all the food that is available is what is on the table, once a child is hungry enough they will eat it! That’s not so say you must punish your child with liver and onions (sorry to offend those who love that combo!) everynight and if they don’t eat it make them starve! I would simpy suggest that there be one meal for everyone, if you know there is one particular item that you child really doesn’t like then make something alongside it that they do like.

6. Phases. Most kids seem to outgrow their picky tendencies so keep trying and one day you’ll have a great eater in your house or at least a less picky eater!

The best time to create healthy eating habits is during childhood. Healthy eating is a wonderful life long gift to give to your children!

Happy healthy eating,
Kia