Today, we’re focusing on ‘safe foods’ for toddlers. We’ll discuss why these foods are essential for picky eaters and strategies for when your child only wants to eat their safe food or suddenly rejects it. This episode provides practical tips for introducing new foods and maintaining a balanced diet. Join me as we tackle these common feeding challenges with effective solutions.
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
Welcome to a breakthrough episode of ‘Nutrition for Littles’ in 2024! This year, we’re kicking off with a game-changing discussion that will revolutionize your approach to mealtimes. Are you battling the picky eating habits of your little ones? Struggling to make mealtime a joyous occasion rather than a battleground? In this episode, Alyssa, your trusted registered dietitian and picky eating specialist, unveils her exclusive ‘Top 5 Secrets to Overcoming Picky Eating.’ These are not just any tips; they are transformative strategies that Alyssa herself would use to reverse picky eating. From integrating family meals to changing the way we talk about food, each secret is a key to unlocking a happier, healthier mealtime environment for your family. Get ready to turn mealtime struggles into moments of bonding and fun, and watch as your little ones develop a healthier relationship with food. Tune in now for these life-changing insights and start your journey towards nurturing healthy, independent eaters in 2024!
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
Hearing your little one call your dinner “yucky” can be frustrating and demoralizing, especially after a long day of work or parenting. I know first hand that it’s a situation that can test the limits of parental patience. So today, let’s explore navigating these tricky dinner-time conversations, helping your kids communicate respectfully at the dinner table.
Recognizing and Managing Our (Normal) Emotional Response
Experiencing your child’s negative reaction to a meal can often trigger an emotional response from you, the parent. It’s natural to feel a sting when they, perhaps inadvertently, hurt our feelings.
But, when we express our unfiltered, unregulated emotions, it can sometimes lead to heightened emotions at the dinner table. When this happens, a cycle of reactivity begins. Before you know it, the situation has escalated, leaving everyone feeling even more upset and frustrated, which can make it difficult and uncomfortable for our littles to express themselves again in the future.
So, take some time now to think of HOW you want to respond when this happens next. Right now you are likely unemotional about it so you can think clearly on how you’d like to respond. So next time this happens you can recognize the emotion, then think back (to right now) when you decided how you would respond and respond out of a plan instead of emotion.
Educate Them on Communication
Children are new to the table—literally. They are still learning how to express themselves appropriately, both at and away from the dinner table. And they learn these cultural norms from us. So, modeling appropriate responses is essential.
When a child calls food “yucky,” it’s an opportunity to teach them about respectful communication. For example, I like to say, “I hear that you don’t want the food in front of you. Next time, Mom would like to hear you say ________.”
Fill in the blank with what aligns with your family’s definition of respect.
Here are a few of my go-to responses:
We don’t yuck someone else’s yum. – This is one of my favorites, but it usually works best for toddlers and older. Start by explaining that it’s not okay to call something yucky that someone else thinks is yummy.
Then, I like to share an example. For example, if you like to ride bikes but I like scooters, that doesn’t mean scooters are yucky. That just means that you like bikes, and I like scooters.
Next time, say, “No, thank you. Not today.” or “I’m not interested in this right now.” At the core of working with picky eaters is encouraging a growth mindset.
When kids say, “Ew, gross!” it cements their dislike for the food. Something as simple as “No, thank you” takes the line-in-the-sand mentality and replaces it with an open mindset.
It’s okay not to like a food today, but that doesn’t have to mean we won’t ever like it. Sometimes, I want broccoli on Monday, and I don’t want to see it at all by Tuesday. That’s okay!
If these two responses aren’t quite what you’re looking for, consider these extras:
“I don’t want this right now, but maybe I’ll try it next time.”
“This isn’t my favorite, but I’m glad I tried it.”
“Can I have a small portion to start with?”
“This is interesting, but I’m unsure how I feel about it yet.”
“Thank you for making this. Can I try this another time?”
Bottom line: it’s okay to have feelings about food, but it’s not acceptable to disrespect others over our food preferences.
Final Thoughts: Not Everything Requires Immediate Action
Being too tired or frustrated to address your child’s comments immediately is okay. In my experience, handling the situation in the moment is rarely the best timing anyway. I find it’s best to tackle these teaching moments after my emotions have settled.
Returning to the conversation with a calm and clear mind often leads to more effective communication. For example, I’ve found success by revisiting the topic later, saying something like, “Hey, remember when you said that? I understand why you felt that way, but it actually hurt my feelings, and here’s why…”
This approach allows for constructive conversation and helps your child understand the impact of their words. These conversations are crucial in helping our children build effective communication skills they can use for the rest of their lives. And remember, pressuring, bribing, or begging rarely leads to lasting change. Instead, encourage respectful refusals and foster a space where trying new foods happens in their own time.
Today I am answering these questions, “What do you do when your little one doesn’t like the food you are serving.?” “What to do if they are only eating their safe food?” “What to do if your child is not happy with how you are handling picky eating and start doing things differently?”
I mention my picky eating course, Table Talk. Click here to get started! I also mention some episodes, “When to say no,” click here to listen, “Screens at the table” click here.
Breastfeeding Blueprint is helping moms navigate breastfeeding their babies! You can get $50 off their course when you use NFL50! Click here to learn more!
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
Today I’m tackling a topic that I know resonates with so many of us – picky eating. If you’ve ever felt at a loss during mealtime battles or wondered how to encourage your little one to explore new foods without the fuss, this episode is for you. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite, tried-and-tested strategies that are not just about getting through dinner but about laying the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy eating. So, if you’re ready to turn mealtime from a challenge into an opportunity for growth (both for you and your child!), tune in. You won’t want to miss these game-changing tips that I have in store for you!
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that many parents find challenging – navigating the holiday season with picky eaters. We’ll explore practical strategies to make festive meals enjoyable for the whole family, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. I’ll share tips on managing uncomfortable comments about your child’s eating habits and how to encourage them to try a variety of foods. Join me as we transform holiday mealtime struggles into joyful, stress-free experiences, ensuring that both you and your little ones can relish the festive cheer!
Want safe, effective workouts for pregnant, postpartum or really for any mom? Download the Expecting and Empowered App, it has everything you need to get in a good workout for whatever stage of life you are in. Click here to get started and use code THEMAMAWELL
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
I hear this from parents all the time, “nothing is working!” I break down what it means, what should we do, where we are at now and how can we move forward from this.
Want safe, effective workouts for pregnant, postpartum or really for any mom? Download the Expecting and Empowered App, it has everything you need to get in a good workout for whatever stage of life you are in. Click here to get started and use code THEMAMAWELL
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
Join me this week, as we tackle the all-too-familiar chorus of ‘yuck!’ from the little ones. In this focused discussion, we delve into the whys behind your child’s immediate nose-wrinkle or shake of the head at the dinner table, and what you can do to turn that around. I’m sharing firsthand insights and actionable tips to help you transform those moments of frustration into opportunities for nutritional growth and positive change—ensuring that the food you serve is met with excitement rather than resistance.
Want to try Dino Bars for yourself? Grab a pack by clicking here and use code Alyssa10 for 10% off.
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
I go over 3 experiences/examples that I want you to put yourself in your kids shoes when it comes to eating. I want you to really see what these experiences might be like for your kids and how you can help at the table.
Want to try Dino Bars for yourself? Grab a pack by clicking here and use code Alyssa10 for 10% off.
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
I read a book on essentialism and it gave me a great visual for how to tackle picky eating and parenting in general. I share this visual and how I have used it in all aspects of my life.
Click here to enroll in Safe Beginning’s online CPR course. Use code Alyssa20 for 20% off.
Hope this episode was helpful for you! If it was it would mean so much to me if you left a written review it only takes you a second but helps other mamas just like you!
Loving the podcast but looking for more?
Head over to my Instagram account @nutrition.for.littles where I drop almost daily content helping you change the mealtime environment in your home (make sure to watch my stories where I teach and explain in more detail!)
Also if you liked this episode share it with your friends and family because it really does take a village to raise kids and it helps when your village is all on the same page!
