Many preschoolers are picky and particular when it comes to eating. Whether it's wanting to eat cheese for every meal or refusing to eat certain colors, preschoolers are known for their distinct eating habits. While this may be both frustrating and worrisome, there are strategies you can try to encourage your preschooler to develop healthy eating habits. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about your child's nutrition or caloric intake.
Set a Healthy Example
Children observe and often imitate their parents' behaviors regarding nutrition and food. One effective way to teach your preschooler to eat nutritious foods is to model it yourself. Eat meals with your preschooler as often as possible. Let him see you make healthy choices such as eating fruit instead of chips or choosing whole grain bread over white bread. When you're headed out, take along healthy snacks to teach your child how to make healthy choices outside the home. Join your child and try new foods together. Discourage other family members, especially older siblings, from making negative remarks about certain foods.
Make Food Fun
Encourage healthy eating habits by making fun shapes or designs out of healthy foods. Preschoolers may be more likely to try new foods if they're served in a fun or interesting way. Use a cookie cutter to make critter-shaped sandwiches, make smiley face pancakes with bananas and blueberries or create a fruit kabob using a skewer. Serve meals on a fun plate or use a muffin tin to present meals in a new way. Offer breakfast for dinner for a fun change at meal time.
Include Your Child
Having your child help with meal purchasing and preparation is an effective way to get your preschooler to try new foods. Take your child along to the grocery store and teach him about the health benefits of whole foods such as fresh produce, whole grains and lean proteins. Talk about the benefits of healthy snacks and why you should eat junk food in moderation. Allow your child to help during meal preparation while you emphasize healthy choices over processed or unhealthy options. Include foods from each food group to teach your child about the importance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Serve One Meal
Prepare one healthy meal for your entire family. This exposes your preschooler new foods, teaches him what goes into a healthy diet and expands his tastes. When possible, eat meals as a family and try not to make a big deal out of eating new foods. If your preschooler refuses to eat the meal, do not force him to eat or prepare something else for him.Giving in to his nightly demands for hot dogs or chicken nuggets only reinforces the notion that he doesn't have to eat healthy foods. Once he realizes there is only one meal available, he may be more open to trying new foods.
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