www.womanthismonth.com October 2021 61 LIFESTYLE | opinion Here are some tips you can follow to ensure your child is getting the nutrition they need: While it is very frustrating to deal with toddlers who change their minds with every passing minute about what food they like or want, it is essential to keep in mind that there is no magical solution. It is a journey that your child needs to go through, and you need to help and guide them to expand their palate. Never force your child to eat Your child is not trying to push boundaries; they are simply learning a new skill. Also, forcing them to clean their plate causes a child to lose their natural sense of knowing when they are full, which can lead to overeating. Remember - for many kids, food acceptance takes time, and this important stage in your toddler's life is absolutely normal. Building healthy eating habits is a gift that your child will thank you for later on in life. Toddlers are still experimenting They are learning what they like and what they don't like, so just be patient. Introduce all tastes when you start the feeding journey No matter how difficult it will get, it is important to try introducing new flavours to your child. Touching, smelling, playing with, and spitting out food are all normal exploratory behaviours that happen before acceptance—and some kids simply take longer to try new food and develop a taste or affinity for it. Keep trying, and eventually, your child will come around. Be consistent, don't give up, and remember, this stage in your child's life is critical as the foods they eat now are fundamental building blocks for healthy growth and development. Keep healthy food at home When healthy and nutritious food is available at home and around your child at all times, they will grow more accustomed to it. Avoid providing many food options at once Children are always more confused when there are more options, simply because their brain isn't developed enough to make this kind of decisions. Don't let your personal preferences interfere with your child's feeding journey Simply put - they might very well love some of the foods you don't like. Make the experience enjoyable Let them be part of cooking the meal, let them go grocery shopping with you, plate your food in a visually appealing way, etc.
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