Parents of 'picky eaters' feel worried about their children's health. Surely they will be reassured by the
fact that their children are going through a natural and completely normal stage of development. In
a large group of children between the ages of 2 and 5, diculties in food intake arise, including
reluctance to try new foods or rejection of previously liked dishes. The child's appetite diminishes
because they are focused on other activities, such as movement and exploring the world. If the diet
does not negatively aect the child's health and overall functioning, there is usually no cause for
concern. It is also worth considering whether the child is truly a 'picky eater'. Perhaps they do not
need such large portions of food, do not like certain products, or express their opinion emphatically.
Only parents of 'picky eaters' know how much time, creativity, and patience each meal costs them.
There is no single, proven way to encourage a child to eat. Below are some ideas worth trying:
First and foremost - DO NOT FORCE. Avoid blackmail and bribery. Even if the child eats a certain
product under pressure, they may hate it for several or even a dozen years. Additionally, it will be
another factor that will make eating associated with something unpleasant.
Try to avoid excessive focus on the child's eating habits. Too much parental interest in this matter can
perpetuate improper patterns.
Try many avors, colors, and consistencies. Try to incorporate new products into the child's diet, but
also serve already known foods, even if they were temporarily rejected by the child. Make sure there
are several products on the plate. It is important for the child to be able to make a choice.
Consider the form of the meal. Perhaps your child will not eat spinach salad, but will gladly drink a
smoothie with it.
Eat meals together. Create a friendly atmosphere. Have a casual conversation with the child. Do not
focus only on what and how much they ate.
Pay attention to the appearance of the meals. Colorful sandwiches, fruits cut into dierent shapes, or
maybe a paper plate with characters from their favorite cartoon will encourage eating a little more.
Avoid snacks between meals.
Involve the child in the meal preparation process. Make a salad or pasta casserole together. Let the
child choose, prepare, and add ingredients.
In a large part of 'picky eaters,' appetite increases after the age of 5. It is intensied around the age of
6. The child asks for food between meals on their own, sometimes even in the middle of the night.
Appetite stabilizes around the age of 7-8.
Bibliography:
Ilg F. L., Ames L. B., Baker S. M., Rozwój psychiczny dziecka od 0 do 10 lat, Gdansk 2006
Jackowska M., "Picky Eaters" and Beyond. Food selectivity, neophobia, and picky eating, Warsaw 2023
Wentrych A., Before the specialist enters..., Kraków 2016"