Tips For Finnicky Toddlers And Pre-Schoolers

Work and school schedules, sports, music, activities, friends and family. Whew! Children on the run need to eat right to fuel their busy days. We know that you are concerned about feeding your active child nutritious meals.

• Let your child decide how much to eat. Toddlers and pre-schoolers may not eat as much as they did when they were younger. Their growth rate has slowed down so they may need fewer kilojoules. And their day is filled with so many other fun things, eating may not be top of mind! Some parents forget that young children eat smaller portions than their older brothers and sisters. 
• Try, try again... when you're introducing new foods. Some children have to see a new food up to 10 times before they feel brave enough to try it. Be sure that they see you enjoying the food, since many kids want to be like their parents. 
• Pack a picnic if you're going to be on the go at mealtimes. Include foods from at least four of the The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating groups. For example, pick your favourite bread (Bread, Cereals, Rice & Noodles), sandwiches filled with meat (Lean Meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Nuts, Legumes Group) or cheese (Milk, Yoghurt And Cheese Group), carrot sticks (Vegetables Group) - cook until soft; cut into strips; then chill), and orange sections or banana slices (Fruit Group).
• Don't coax or beg your child to eat. Eating (or not eating) is one of the few things that young kids have control over. The more you push, the more your child may push back by refusing to eat. Simply offer foods at meals and snack times. 
• Decide what to serve, and stick with your decision, even if your child begs for something else. If you start making other foods on demand, your child might expect you to be a short order cook at every meal. 
• Create a safe eating environment to minimise chances of choking. Make sure your child sits while eating and eats only when an adult is present. Cut foods into small, strip-shaped pieces before serving.