This article shares 5 things every parent of a picky eater needs to hear to feel better about their child’s eating and get them on a path to trying new foods.
I help parents understand their child’s eating challenges and learn how to help their kids try new foods and add variety. I’m talking to parents of picky eaters every single day, learning about their struggles and the effects it has on them and their child’s life.
Because you are here reading this, I know that you are like the parents I talk to and help. I know how hard it is to feed your kids. I know the toll it takes on you.
There are 5 things I know you need to hear about your child’s eating to give you the perspective, support, and hope you deserve.
5 Things Every Parent of A Picky Eater Needs to Hear
You are not to blame
There is so much that goes into what a child eats – and doesn’t eat. While it’s true that things like parenting style, mealtime routines, and parental eating habits influence a child’s own diet and eating, those things are just one piece of a complicated puzzle.
Blaming yourself doesn’t make eating easier for your child and it can minimize other important factors that affect your child’s eating.
You can make it better
Again, there is so much that goes into what and how a child eats. The really good news is that as their parent, you have SO much control over these things and you are incredibly influential in your child’s eating. You have the power and ability to help your child overcome their eating challenges and try new foods.
Ready to get started? Grab my FREE guide with 5 simple steps you can take to begin reversing picky eating.
It’s not too late
It’s never too late to try something new with your kids. Even if they’re teens. Even if it’s a big change. You can always start right where you are. Make small changes.
Make big changes easier by being on the same team as your child. The change isn’t happening to them; it’s something you’re working on together.
Here’s a script I’m borrowing from my friend Lizzie over at The Workspace for Children – Approach your child and say to them, “I want to try something new. Can we do it together?”
It really can be that simple.
Your child will be okay – even if they don’t eat vegetables
We feel a lot of pressure as parents to make sure our kids are as healthy as they can be – that they’re doing and eating all the right things.
I’ve worked with hundreds of parents whose children struggle to eat and have limited diets. Diets that rarely include vegetables. I know how stressful and scary it can feel when your child isn’t eating well. I have to tell you, all of those kids who eat only a few foods and not a single vegetable, they’re okay.
I know it may be hard to see and feel right now. I promise you, they will be okay. Here’s something that might make it easier: fruits have the same nutrition as veggies and multivitamins are an easy way to cover any gaps in the diet.
It might not be a phase, but it doesn’t have to last forever
I know how not helpful it can be when people dismiss your concerns about your child’s eating by saying it’s just a phase. Many times, picky eating is just a phase. You’re here because it’s feeling more extreme than that. Your child may not be one who outgrows picky eating without intervention. But that doesn’t mean they will have eating challenges forever. Here at Jenny Friedman Nutrition, we help parents understand their child’s eating challenges and give them the tools and support they need to help their child try new foods and expand their diets.
Ready to help your child get on the path to trying new foods? The Eating with Ease Program gives you the strategies, support & step-by-step guidance you need to help your child try new foods.
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