Fussy eaters

[Lyndsey]

So how do you handle the kids who fuss or who refuse to eat? Do you ask parents ahead of time about dislikes? That could become very complicated. Do you just suggest parents provide the snacks?

[atula]

I think with fussy eaters most parents are quite aware about their child's habit and they only hope that in the daycare with other children around and no parents to throw tantrum on....they will learn to eat. i suppose it is best to speak to the pareents about it and let them know that their child is not eating...the parents can then either send a snack or if they really want their child to improve...the daycare owner may use tactics like group eating etc...to make the child interested in eating different things.

[Lyndsey]

I think you may be right. When kids are at home, food can become a weapon in a power struggle. When they are busy with other kids and have nothing to gain by fussing, they may eat.

[atula]

there is also the case when a child may not eat a particular thing because he does not like it the way it is made at his home....he may actually enjoy the different taste only if his initial fear is overcome....trying to add the things he detests in the thing he likes...like carrot toppings on pizza....the child may actually start liking that and not fuss at all...

[Lyndsey]

Originally Posted by atula

there is also the case when a child may not eat a particular thing because he does not like it the way it is made at his home....he may actually enjoy the different taste only if his initial fear is overcome....trying to add the things he detests in the thing he likes...like carrot toppings on pizza....the child may actually start liking that and not fuss at all...

That sounds like a cookbook I heard of, made by Jerry Seinfeld's wife. It's called "Deceptively Delicious" and it talks about "disguising" healthy food so it seems like dessert, etc.

[atula]

I have actually tried the trick on my husband Lndsey and it works fantastically....before we were married he never ate cabbage...so he asked me not to make them...but once I made cabbage in a totally different style...disguised the taste with lots of coconuts...and he loved it! So if it can work on an adult...it can surely work on kids.

[tater03]

I have tried to get my son to eat certain fruits and vegetables by cutting them up into very tiny pieces and if he sees even the color orange and green he will not eat it. I have tried everything.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by atula

I have actually tried the trick on my husband Lndsey and it works fantastically....before we were married he never ate cabbage...so he asked me not to make them...but once I made cabbage in a totally different style...disguised the taste with lots of coconuts...and he loved it! So if it can work on an adult...it can surely work on kids.

I don't think I could bring myself to do that to an adult, especially my husband. His trusting me is too dear to jeopardize, even for cabbage.

For kids in the daycare situation, it might help t o give the parents a menu of meals planned for the children, the week before they are served. This way, they know ahead of time if the child might have to deal with something they won't eat.

The parents can then either tell the child they are expected to eat the food or they can send an alternative meal with the child. If they don't exercise either choice, and the child refuses to eat, they are at least prepared and you have covered your bases.

[Laughingmouse]

I've noticed that children will eat just about anything if they are hungry enough.

With this in mind, it might help to intensify physical activity before a meal that might present a challenge. This way, a picky eater might just eat what is on their plat without putting up a fuss!