The Dad’s Guide to Navigating Picky Eaters

If you’re the father of a picky eater, it’s only natural to dread mealtimes. You know you’re going to spend a great deal of time preparing a meal or snack that your child will be picky with at best, or not touch at worst. Despite picky eating being a challenging phase, there are things you can do to help the situation and make mealtimes more enjoyable for all. Take note of a few of the helpful tips below. 

Don’t Give Up

The most important advice for parents of picky children is not to give up. It can take 10, 15, or even more exposures to certain foods for kids to accept them. Keep offering small, low-pressure tastes and, in the meantime, give them children multivitamin gummies to help address nutrition gaps you may be worried about while you wait for this stage to pass. 

Understand Everyone’s Role in Mealtimes

You and your children have different roles in mealtimes. Your job is to prepare well-balanced food and decide when and where to serve it. Your child’s role is to decide whether they eat it and how much they’ll eat. Understanding these roles can help you feel less frustrated when your child moves food around their plate or says they’re full after two bites. 

Set a Schedule

When your child asks for a snack, it’s easy just to give them what they want and carry on with your day. However, grazing and snacks before mealtimes may mean your child is less likely to eat when everyone else is. Get into the habit of offering three regular meals and two or three small snacks spaced two to three hours apart. Avoid milk or juice top-ups between meals, as well. 

Don’t Become Their Personal Chef

It’s only natural to worry when your child hasn’t eaten their snack or meal. You can be tempted to throw away what they haven’t eaten and prepare something you know they’ll eat. It’s okay if your child doesn’t eat something you’ve prepared for them. You’ll be able to offer more food at the next family meal or snack time, and they may be more likely to eat what is offered then. 

Remove Distractions

When something is more exciting than food, it can be easy for a child to neglect what’s on their plate and focus on that external distraction. That’s why it’s so important to make mealtimes distraction-free. 

Turn off screens and focus on being social and talking. Meals should last around 20 or 30 minutes. However, younger children likely won’t stay seated for that long. A toddler typically remains at a table for approximately two to five minutes per year of their life before they lose interest and want to start moving! 

Involve the Kids in Mealtimes

Most parents shop, prepare, and cook meals for their families on their own. While it can certainly be easier this way, involving the kids may be how you start to address some picky eating behaviors. Involving them in something as simple as coming up with meal ideas or washing produce may help build comfort and interest in food.  

There’s no denying that picky eating is a frustrating stage, and it’s easy to feel like your kids are barely eating anything. However, a few simple changes in how you approach snacks and mealtimes may make all the difference in their interest and willingness to eat.