So You Have a Picky Eater?

Why is it, after you've spent hours preparing a wonderful nutritious meal that your child will turn up her nose and not touch it? She's a picky eater who picks more than she eats, and you're a parent on the edge! I've been there with my own picky eater and I've figured out a few things along the way. Read on for some tips and ideas to try:

1. First and most important of all, don't let the eating vs. non-eating thing become a power struggle. Don't force them to eat, punish them if they don't eat, or bribe them to eat. Making it a huge issue will make it worse, not better.

2. Be sure your kids don't eat snacks right before mealtime, and also remember that juice and milk can really fill up their little tummies as well.

3. Kids fill up a lot faster than we do, so give them smaller portions of food at mealtime. It's better to let them ask for seconds than heap up their plate with more food than they can possibly eat. Plus, kids know when they're full, unlike some of us who push past that feeling and go to uncomfortably stuffed.

4. Have your child help prepare the meal. Children are more likely to eat food they proudly made or helped with. They'll also be learning a life skill that will definitely come in handy!

5. Offer your little ones some choices at mealtime. Instead of putting food on their plate, ask them if they want the peas or the carrots, the mashed potatoes with or without the gravy, peanut butter or cream cheese on the bagel, etc. This gives them some control.

6. If they don't want to eat, don't make a big deal out of it, but insist that they stay at the table and socialize with everyone else. The meal should really be about the conversation, not the food.

7. Take your children grocery shopping and ask them to pick out the vegetables and meat for the next few dinners. Now they're in charge of their meals.

8. Remember to offer healthy snacks that pack a nutritional bang, not empty calories. Kids like finger foods so have cut up vegetables and fruit on hand.

9. Invite other kids (non-picky eater types) over to eat, and provide a variety of food. Your child will notice what the other kids eat and it can encourage him to try new foods.