by Dr Scott Parsons
An early childhood memory for me was the evening meal. It was not good. I remember quietly clicking my fingers under the dining table, attracting the canine disposal unit to dispatch the spinachy stuff on my plate. (Everything that was green was spinach to me.) This was tricky. I would distract Mum by pointing at something out the window, and those few seconds were enough for me to offload into the labrador. Unfortunately the over enthusiastic pup would engulf the spinach, meat, potatoes and anything else. Busted, I would have to blame the dog. I was then presented with another meal, but with more spinach as there wasn’t much of the other stuff left. Damn that dog.
Mealtimes can be a stressful time, particularly during the toddler period. Usually the concern is around picky eating. This results in unsuccessful attempts by parents to encourage, coerce and even force a toddler to eat a meal. This is not recommended by nutritionists, and stems from previous generations where food was sometimes rationed, and/or scarce. “Eat up, who knows where your next meal will come from?” There is also a misheld belief that carrying a little extra will help fight illness and infection. Not true. So what actually happens nutritionally during this period?
During the first 12-15 months infants will eat what is necessary for adequate growth. As they move to the toddler age a few things happen. Firstly their calorie requirements drop significantly as the rate of growth lessens. So the parent will perceive this as loss of appetite. The other issue is that as the toddler realises he can influence his parents’ emotions and behaviour he will start to refuse food. The more a parent enforces eating the more stubborn the toddler becomes. Exasperated parents will sometimes make the mistake
of giving bottles of milk thinking that this will suffice. This unfortunately can sometimes lead to an iron deficiency, which is the most common nutritional deficit in toddlers in our country.
So how should you approach the picky eater? Firstly check and chart the child’s height and weight. The child health nurse or doctor can help you do this. If it is clear the growth is fine and there are no signs of illness then you can follow these simple guidelines.
- Make meal times fun and have low expectations. (Decrease portions)
- The parents choose (appropriate) food.
- The toddler decides whether and how much he or she will eat. The parent is not to be involved in this part. If the toddler refuses to eat then remove the food without comment. Do not punish for not eating food, and do not reward for finishing food. i.e. remain passive.
- If the toddler asks for food, return the plate. Try not to offer anything different, particularly milk.
- Some toddlers snack on many small meals throughout the day and so do not need to eat an evening meal. There is no problem with this as long as the snacks are healthy.
Meal time battles can continue during the school years. As a parent it becomes frustrating if you go to great lengths to prepare a meal only to find the kids don’t like the ‘yucky bits’. Children will not understand your frustration as you implore them to ‘just try it’. Take the pressure off, present easy to prepare simple healthy foods and slowly introduce new tastes and textures.
It would be great if children ate like labradors. However I can remember my Mother taking him to the vet wondering why he was gaining so much weight. Must’ve been all that yucky spinach.
For more information, check out the nutrition section of www.raisingchildren.net.au
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