My sweet six year old eats a peanut butter and honey sandwich every day for lunch. He used to eat a peanut butter and jelly but about 4 months ago he switched it up to honey and has been having that ever since.
It makes for easy lunch time and I don't complain too much because I buy really healthy bread an peanut butter is a really good food (and I skimp on the honey)
And since he happens to be one of the kids later in my line of children, I am lots more relaxed about picky eating and things that I feed my kids and that they choose to eat. Most of them come around, and most aren't going to starve themselves - and if you only offer healthy choices, then they only have healthy decisions to make.
But if you happen to have a picky eater in your family and it is stressing you out - here are some tips to help deal with the issue in your family. And keep in mind that you are the one to set the tone if your family. You make the rules and you set the example.
1. No Complaining about food.
2. Food is not a reward or a punishment
3. Eating is a family activity.
4. Try, Try Again - and Again
5. Hunger is Okay sometimes.
6. Focus on nutrient dense foods.
Just like you are learning about foods and nutrition education. You are responsible for teaching your children about nutrition education. If you don't teach your children to be emotional eaters chances are they won't be. If you offer them a wide variety of healthy foods their bodies will want those foods and their pallets will crave the taste of those foods.
And remember to eat as a family - that makes all the difference in the world.
