Young children and toddlers can seem as if they never eat and may resist trying new foods. Parents can set a good example and offer alternatives to promote healthy eating
Parents are often concerned about whether their children are getting the nutrition they need. This is even more worrisome if you have a picky child. Most children, however, will not be undernourished or starve if they are healthy and have access to the foods they need to grow.
Why Some Children Seem to Never Eat
Somewhere around the age of 2, children’s appetites decrease. Their growth slows down and they do not need as much food as they did previously. Some children will stop eating foods they used to eat or will seem as if they are never hungry. This can happen for a number of reasons:
- Young children and toddlers have discovered they have some control over the food they eat and want to be able to decide for themselves what to eat and may relish the ability to say “no.”
- Children are sometimes hesitant to stop a fun activity in order to eat.
- Children may drink several glasses of juice or milk, which may fill their small stomachs and leave them feeling full.
- Young children may be resistant to change and may not want to try new foods. They may be satisfied eating only a few types of food.
What Parents Can Do
The Food Pyramid (United States Department of Agriculture) provides parents with a simple way to determine how much food their child should be eating. The website, MyPyramid, provides a tool for parents. By putting in your child’s age, weight and physical activity level, parents can see exactly how much food a child should be eating on a daily basis. (The tool provides information for children ages 2 and above.)
Parents also must remember that a child’s appetite may change from day to day. Their food needs may be higher on days with more physical activity and decrease on days when they are tired or not feeling well. Children will, however, usually eat what they need, especially if healthy foods are provided. Allowing children to choose foods (from a selection of healthy foods) and to stop eating when they are done will help to develop healthy attitudes toward healthy diets.
Additional tips to help parents:
- Remember toddlers often have one or two favorite foods and may want these foods everyday. This is normal.
- Provide some fat in a toddler’s diet to help with growth and energy. Dairy products, however, can be reduced fat from ages 2 and up.
- High fiber foods may cause stomach problems for young children.
- Provide a variety of healthy foods for snacking, such as fruits and raw vegetables. Keep raw vegetables small to avoid choking in very young children. For example, grate carrots rather than allowing small children to chew on carrot sticks.
- Show your children healthy eating habits by eating healthy foods yourself. Keep your intake of cookies, cakes and other goodies to a minimum or as a special treat.
- Provide variety for older children. For example, instead of getting calcium only from milk, offer ice cream, pudding or yogurt. Protein can come from lean meats, nuts, peanut butter, eggs, fish or beans.
Parents can also make eating healthy fun, using activities provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, such as: food pyramid posters, meal trackers and coloring pages.
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