{"id":8026,"date":"2023-11-24T13:39:46","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T05:39:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/?p=8026"},"modified":"2024-08-29T17:31:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T09:31:11","slug":"top-10-tips-for-parents-to-turn-the-tables-on-picky-eaters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/top-10-tips-for-parents-to-turn-the-tables-on-picky-eaters\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Tips for Parents to Turn the Tables on Picky Eaters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Did You Know?<\/strong> A study in China showed that up to 36% of children 24-35 months old showed prevalence of picky eating (Li et al., 2017).&nbsp;Picky eating might be brushed off as \u201cjust a phase\u201d, but if this behavior persists, it may lead to malnutrition, social difficulties, and increased anxieties to food, which will severely impact your child\u2019s development.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8030\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/03-112023-BabySharkBlogPost-fussy-1024x853.png\" alt=\"Crying child staring at healthy green food on table. Fussy eating. Picky eater throwing a tantrum.\" class=\"wp-image-8030\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-factors-on-why-children-are-fussy-with-food\"><strong>Factors On Why Children Are Fussy With Food<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Developmental Stage:<\/strong> As toddlers and young children are learning to express their independence, they often use food as a way to assert control. Saying &#8220;no&#8221; to certain foods or food groups is part of this development process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Taste &amp; Texture Sensitivity: <\/strong>Children often have more sensitive taste buds than adults, so they might find certain flavors particularly strong or unappealing and are sensitive to the texture of certain foods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neophobia:<\/strong> Children are programmed with the survival instinct to stick to what they know is safe to eat, which is why they are cautious to try new foods.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Genetic Factors:<\/strong> Research indicates that genetics plays a role in picky eating. Certain children may be genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to certain taste and texture. You may have a Super Taster on your hands!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/02-112023-BabySharkBlogPost-fussy-1024x853.png\" alt=\"Sad child sitting in between parents. All of them have healthy green food in front of them. The parents are trying to comfort the child and encourage her to eat healthy foods.\" class=\"wp-image-8029\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4b2eccd6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/babyshark-swab.png\" alt=\"Pink baby shark on the left demonstrating how to do a buccal swab to collect saliva sample for DNA Test Kit. Yellow baby shark on the right is winking and smiling.\" class=\"wp-image-8034\" style=\"width:402px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-48c2c4f0 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background wp-container-content-9cfa9a5a\" style=\"background-color:#fcb9002b;font-size:25px\"><strong><em>DID YOU KNOW?<\/em><\/strong><br> <a href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/en\/kids?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_kids&amp;utm_campaign=baby_shark_circledna\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Baby Shark x CircleDNA Kids<\/a> <br>Tests your child for Fat, Carbohydrate, Salt and Taste Sensitivity, Lactose Intolerance, as well Coeliac Predisposition and Toxin Generation Speed<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size is-style-outline has-medium-font-size is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/en\/kids?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_kids&amp;utm_campaign=baby_shark_circledna\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SHOP NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/04-112023-BabySharkBlogPost-solution-1024x853.png\" alt=\"Family enjoying food together around a table. Father is peeling oranges, grandpa is eating grapes, mother is chopping fruits, and the child is holding a watermelon.\" class=\"wp-image-8031\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-turning-the-table-on-picky-eaters\"><strong>Turning the Table On Picky Eaters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Offer Variety<\/strong>: Regularly introduce new foods to your child&#8217;s diet. It can take numerous exposures to a new food before a child will accept it, but building trust between you and your child will make future offerings easier to accept.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cook Together<\/strong>: Witnessing the transformation of ingredients to food will increase their willingness to eat the food they helped prepare. It is also a great bonding activity!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create a Food Adventure Chart<\/strong>: Develop a chart where your child can place a sticker each time they try a new food. This turns trying new foods into a fun adventure, encouraging a positive attitude towards unfamiliar items.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set a Schedule<\/strong>: Regular meal and snack times can help children understand when to expect food and can help prevent grazing, which might decrease their appetite for mealtimes.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lead by Example<\/strong>: Children often mimic the behavior of adults. Regularly eating and enjoying a variety of foods can encourage your child to do the same.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/05-112023-BabySharkBlogPost-solution-1024x853.png\" alt=\"Family preparing food in the kitchen. The child on the left holds out a bell pepper to the man on the right, who is chopping vegetables.\" class=\"wp-image-8032\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"6\">\n<li><strong>Keep Portions Small<\/strong>: Large portions can be overwhelming. Start with small servings and let your child ask for more if they&#8217;re still hungry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Make Meals Enjoyable<\/strong>: Keep the atmosphere at meal times relaxed and positive. Mealtimes are a social activity, encourage conversation and avoid distractions like TV.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don&#8217;t Force Eating<\/strong>: Forcing a child to eat can create a negative association with food, which may develop into picky eating and in the future disordered eating. Instead, encourage trying new foods but respect your child&#8217;s appetite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gradually Introduce New Foods<\/strong>: Pair new foods with familiar ones and gradually increase the new food&#8217;s proportion over time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Praise Healthy Eating<\/strong>: Positive reinforcement can encourage continued healthy eating habits. Open communication is important as your child is slowly developing into their own person!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-takeaways\">Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Picky eating usually lessens over time as your child gets older, so building good habits early on is vital. It takes a village to raise a child, so do not shy away from consulting a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian to help inform your child&#8217;s nutrition plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also order the<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/en\/kids?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_kids&amp;utm_campaign=baby_shark_circledna\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Baby Shark x CircleDNA Kids Test<\/a> for your little one and receive 120 comprehensive DNA reports spanning 13 categories, including diet, nutritional needs, intolerances, weight regain, and much much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, you can stop guessing, and start knowing!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/en\/kids?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_kids&amp;utm_campaign=baby_shark_circledna\&quot;"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/magazine-admin.circledna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/babyshark-product-pic-1024x870.png\" alt=\"From the left: Baby Shark Sticker &amp; Story Book: What Are My Hidden Talents?, Baby Shark x CircleDNA Kids Test Kit, a phone screenshot of the results of the DNA test, showing Diet, Nutrition, Wellbeing, Stress &amp; Sleep, Pollution, and Skin.\" class=\"wp-image-8033\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-font-size is-style-outline has-large-font-size is-style-outline--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/en\/kids?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog_kids&amp;utm_campaign=baby_shark_circledna\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SHOP NOW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-references\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Li, Z., van der Horst, K., Edelson-Fries, L. R., Yu, K., You, L., Zhang, Y., Vinyes-Pares, G., Wang, P., Ma, D., Yang, X., Qin, L., &amp; Wang, J. (2017). Perceptions of food intake and weight status among parents of picky eating infants and toddlers in China: A cross-sectional study. Appetite, 108, 456-463. <a href="\&quot;https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.appet.2016.11.009\&quot;">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.appet.2016.11.009<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did You Know? A study in China showed that up to 36% of children 24-35 months old showed prevalence of picky eating (Li et al., 2017).&nbsp;Picky eating&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":604,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,10568],"tags":[10634,10636,10630],"class_list":["post-8026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diet","category-kids","tag-eaters","tag-parents-en","tag-tables"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/604"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8026"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8350,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8026\/revisions\/8350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}