When someone in your life turns up their nose at half the items on their dinner plate, it can be frustrating.Picky eating is a problem that affects both children and adults, and can also have a negative effect on the people who eat with them.Children often need a bit of help to try new foods, so make eating fun and involve them in choosing ingredients.If you're trying to help an adult picky eater, give them non-judgmental support and encourage them to try new foods.In some cases, picky eating can be caused by an eating disorder called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
Step 1: Children should not be forced to eat when they are full.
Getting kids to join the clean plate club can cause them to become picky eaters.Children who have been encouraged to eat more than they need may begin to dislike eating.Vegetables are the most important foods for children to stop eating.
Step 2: Slowly introduce new foods.
Children can be a little scared of new tastes and smells.Don't make a big deal about the new arrival if they put very small portions of unfamiliar items on their plates.New foods can be included in dishes that you know your kids like.Maybe your child has never had a salad.If you know they like creamy foods, start with creamed spinach instead of a salad.If they like cheese, you can try broccoli.
Step 3: Children's plates can be filled with fun shapes.
It's possible to make your meals into a game.Children should be told that they need to eat orange food to complete the rainbow rather than eating carrots.Cookie cutter can be used to turn unattractive items into circles, stars, or squares.Tell your child to collect each shape.
Step 4: You shouldn't make separate meals for children.
It will be hard to take it back once your child knows it's an option.Remember that you're avoiding making more work for yourself over the long term by fighting the food battles.Children will eventually eat if they have a clinical disorder.
Step 5: Kids should be involved in shopping and meal prep.
Children will feel invested in what they eat.When you're in the produce or meat section, ask them to pick out a few ingredients that they'd like to try.They can help you pick a recipe and prepare the meal.If they say they don't like something, remind them that they chose it.This may be enough to get them to eat a few bites.
Step 6: Don't give dessert a reward.
It's not a good idea to give your children 2 more bites of peas in exchange for a bowl of ice cream.They probably don't need more prompting to believe that sweets are the best food.They might expect dessert after every meal.Try to make 1 or 2 nights a week.
Step 7: If you can, show your children good eating habits.
Children learn from observing.They will be more likely to follow suit if they see you eating a balanced mix of healthy foods.Watching you eat a lot of soda, snack foods, and dessert will make them wonder why they can't.This might be the motivation you need to address your picky eating habits.
Step 8: Help the picky eater find motivation to change.
Picky eating can keep a family member from eating a balanced diet.Their health might not be as good as it could be.It's possible that they need to recognize this to make them want to address their picky eating.There are a lot of things that might motivate someone.Maybe they need a more balanced diet to support an exercise plan.They might want to show their children that they can try new foods as well.
Step 9: As a picky eater tries new foods, list family and friends.
Tell the people closest to you that you're trying to help the picky eater change their eating habits.Ask the support network to suggest recipes, help prepare food in new ways, and generally provide support.Ask them to be patient and supportive because rushing the process won't help.If the picky eater has people in their life that are judgmental about their habits, tell them to avoid spending time with them.Feelings of being judged or pressured may affect their progress.
Step 10: Suggest to the picky eater that they prepare problem foods differently.
List the foods the picky eater doesn't like.Look for recipes that incorporate those foods.Changing the way it's cooked might solve the issue since texture or smell may be behind their dislike of a particular food.The smell of steamed broccoli is very strong and recognizable.A soup recipe that calls for running the ingredients through a food processor might have a different scent.
Step 11: Encourage the picky eater to try new things.
They dislike at least 10 items.Occasionally, exposing a picky eater to a food they've had issues with in the past can cause them to like it.Suggest they eat a small portion of this item.Each time they try it, you can help them prepare it in new ways.Take note of which dishes they can tolerate.When you and the picky eater are sure you've tried everything, cross an item off the list.
Step 12: When interacting with a picky eater, control your impatience.
If you have a friend, family member, or even acquaintances who is a picky eater, you may occasionally feel frustrated by their eating habits.This is not your problem to change or control, it's theirs.It's not going to help them to do that, so back off and walk away.
Step 13: There are behavioral signs associated with fears of eating.
ARFID has both physical and psychological symptoms.Some of the most common behavioral warning signs include a fear of eating in public, and food pickiness that gets worse over time.If you notice any of these symptoms in a loved one, talk to them about going to the doctor.People with ARFID may wear baggy clothing to hide their weight loss, not be interested in or excited about food, or only eat foods of a certain texture.ARFID is not associated with body image issues.
Step 14: There are issues with nutrition and weight loss.
People may not be able to eat certain foods if they have ARFID.People with this condition could experience a lot of physical changes that show their health is being compromised by their eating disorder.These symptoms need to be treated by a doctor.They include Stomach cramps and/or Constipation.If they're a girl or woman their menstruation is irregular.It can be dizziness or faintness.The skin and nails are dry.There is weakness in the muscles.It is feeling cold.Recovering from wounds or illnesses can be difficult.Abnormal lab results include anemia, low blood cell counts, and a slow heart rate.
Step 15: Exposure therapy can be used for problem foods.
Treatments for ARFID are new as they are still being studied by doctors and psychiatrists.Once the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis, they will likely recommend working with a qualified psychiatrist who has experience with eating disorders.A plan will be developed by the psychiatrist to build up a diversified and healthy diet.If you love someone who is struggling with ARFID, be patient.Don't expect big changes overnight.
Step 16: Seek medical treatment for your loved one.
If ARFID has caused the health of someone you're close to to decline significantly, a hospital stay may be called for.The doctor will decide if this is necessary.They may prescribe supplements as a long-term solution.