BIG question I get all the time – how do I get my kid to like mixed dishes?!?! Today’s episode answers this exact question! Check it out! This is a replay from March 3, 2021.
If you’re looking for more content from me, grab my free picky eating guide here or 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!)
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!
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!
Still want more? Click here to join my email list! I’d love to share more goodies with you and connect with you over email!
Do you find it hard to get your little one to stay at the table? I give my top tips on how you can help them stay sitting longer! This is a replay from March 9, 2022 but I wanted to share it again because the information is so helpful!
I referenced another podcast I did on grazing, click here to listen!
Ready to learn how to help your littles eat new and more foods? You can enroll in my Table Talk picky eating program RIGHT NOW. Click here to learn more and enroll!
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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!
Not all children start out as picky eaters. Something happens along the way, usually between 2-3 years old, and suddenly they’re rejecting everything but nuggets and mac and cheese.
While we can’t completely prevent picky eating, there are some things you can do to help guide your child in the right direction.
Why do kids become picky eaters?
“My child used to eat anything I gave them and now they won’t try anything!” It’s a sentiment I hear a lot. It can be confusing and frustrating, but you aren’t alone. Research shows that 80% of parents say their kids have had or are currently in a stage of picky eating.
But why does it happen?
Biological Drive
Pickiness usually pops up around the toddlerhood age–they’re more mobile and gaining more control of their bodies. Their brain begins recognizing some of the items they’d normally put in their mouths as unsafe. This is great for keeping our children safe and healthy, but unfortunately also extends to food.
Developmental Changes
Along with biological drives, our children also experience developmental changes in the toddlerhood stage. At this age, they are becoming more autonomous and able to recognize that their body is separate from everyone else’s. They want control over what goes in, around, on, and near their bodies.
Tips for Preventing Picky Eating
If you don’t have a picky eater yet, they’re likely young and just starting out. This is great news! There are lots of things within your control to support them in the transitions their bodies will soon be making.
Wide Variety
Between the ages of 6-18 months, your baby’s flavor profile is being built. Think of it like a bank–every time you offer them new foods to try you are making a deposit. When they get older and start rejecting things that are unfamiliar to them, they will have a bank built up and their brain will make that connection more easily.
Try to offer 1-3 new foods each week, making sure to repeat foods you’ve already introduced. It’s going to take time for them to build a connection, so repetition is key here!
Keep Things Changing
The only thing that should stay the same is change. Getting stuck in the same food repetitions is going to keep your child in their comfort zone and likely result in picky eating.
You don’t need to make big changes every day! Try making small changes like flavors, dips, or side dishes with a main dish you know they love. Change the way you cook some of their favorite foods. This week you may bake it, next week serve it steamed. Change their noodle shape or brand, the type of plate or silverware they’re using, or even their spot at the table.
Keeping them on their toes will have them expecting something new at every mealtime and they won’t be able to settle into the same eating patterns.
Stay Calm
When an unavoidable picky opportunity pops up, stay calm. Many times, picky eating will get worse when we become reactive. We get frustrated and their refusal to eat broccoli turns into skipping a meal and then refusing vegetables for a week.
Look at their nutrition from a 30,000-foot view. It’s not about one meal, it’s about their nutrition over the course of a week, month, or even a year.
Be Responsive
Don’t be reactive, be responsive. Reacting is very volatile, grasping at straws to pressure your child into eating.
Responsiveness is working with your child to help guide them back where they need to be to enjoy mealtimes and get them the nutrition they need.
Eat Together
One of the best things you can do to prevent picky eating is to focus on family meals. Bring every member of the family together during mealtimes and just enjoy the connection and relationship you’re building with your children.
This also gives you an opportunity to eat by example and demonstrate to your child how you want them to eat.
What if they become picky anyway?
Like I said before, there’s no way to guarantee you’ll avoid the picky stage. While these tips can help prevent picky eating, they can also help you reverse it!
No matter how difficult it may seem, take it one meal at a time–each one counts! You can take steps every day toward a path of peaceful mealtimes together.
And if you still feel stuck and you aren’t sure where to go, Table Talk is for you. It teaches you all the strategies and methods in place to help with picky eating and finally kick it to the curb.
Resources
Listen to my podcast episode about preventing picky eating here.
Here are some links of my other podcasts I talk about the Division of Responsibility episode, click here to listen! Starting solids podcast, click here. I also talk about my Table Talk program, click here to learn more and enroll!
Want my FREE picky eating guide? Click here to get instant access!
Looking for toys that support your kids’ age and development? Try Lovevery, click here to find a play kit that is just right for your little one in their current stage!
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!)
A fresh start for picky eating. This is a guide for getting started with picky eating. Top tips for a fresh start. This is a replay from January 12, 2022. I thought all this information would be a helpful reminder for those who are dealing with picky eating.
Want to try Dino Bars for yourself? Grab a pack by clicking here and use code Alyssa10 for 10% off.
Ready to learn how to help your littles eat new and more foods? You can enroll in my Table Talk picky eating program RIGHT NOW. Click here to learn more and enroll!
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!)
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!
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!
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well
This episode is a listener question, “My son isn’t picky yet but I’m figuring we will get there soon. What can I do now to help prevent picky eating?” I give you tips and tricks on what is in your control that you can do when picky eating pops up.
Here are some links of my other podcasts I talk about the Division of Responsibility episode, click here to listen! Starting solids podcast, click here. I also talk about my Table Talk program, click here to learn more and enroll!
Want my FREE picky eating guide? Click here to get instant access!
Looking for toys that support your kids age and development? Try Lovevery, click here to find a play kit that is just right for your little one in their current stage!
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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!
Praise can add pressure around the table. I go in depth on why using praise when they eat a certain food cannot be helpful. I give you ideas on what you can do to praise your little one at the table.
Are you currently pregnant or in the first year postpartum? Click here for Nourished After Baby, a postpartum and breastfeeding nutrition course. Use my code NFL50 for $50 off!
Ready to learn how to help your littles eat new and more foods? You can enroll in my Table Talk picky eating program RIGHT NOW. Click here to learn more and enroll!
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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!
“What is picky eating?”…and how much of it is our fault as parents? I dive deep into how we were raised around food can unintentionally impact how we teach our children about food. Click here to listen to part 2 on my other podcast, The Mama Well.
Looking to change up your menu? Look no further click here to learn more about the REVAMP system and how you can make small changes to your menu!
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
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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!
What is kid food vs what we think kid food actually is and what beliefs we have around those foods. There is no “kid food” vs “adult food” we are all just eating food.
Ready to learn how to help your littles eat new and more foods? You can enroll in my Table Talk picky eating program RIGHT NOW. Click here to learn more and enroll!
Want to try Dino Bars for yourself? Grab a pack by clicking here and use code Alyssa10 for 10% off.
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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 have gotten asked by a lot of you why I homeschooled my oldest for kindergarten. I share my reasoning why we decided to do it and reasons we are consider doing it again.
Want my FREE picky eating guide? Click here to get instant access!
Looking for toys that support your kids age and development? Try Lovevery, click here to find a play kit that is just right for your little one in their current stage!
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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 have gotten so many questions how I am parenting my two kids while pregnant. I share my best tips and tricks how I am doing this, from using quiet time to how I handled nausea.
Ready to learn how to help your littles eat new and more foods? You can enroll in my Table Talk picky eating program RIGHT NOW. Click here to learn more and enroll!
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
If you haven’t yet make sure to subscribe to my other podcast The Mama Well yes I have two!
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!)
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!
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!
