| Following are a few common problems, and some | | | | group. With any luck, they will outgrow the |
| commonsense solutions: | | | | fixation-eating only cheese for a day or so won't |
| 1. Table manner troubles: From talking with a | | | | hurt them-but eating only cheese for a few |
| mouthful to eating with their fingers, kid's table | | | | weeks could. If you can, determine what appeals |
| habits can make you cringe. There are a few | | | | to them about the item they are focused on. It |
| things you can do to help work through these | | | | could be temperature, taste, texture, or some |
| issues. First, make sure you are modeling the | | | | other quality. A child who wants to eat bananas all |
| behavior you want to see in your child. If the rule | | | | day may be craving something sweet-or |
| is "don't talk with your mouth full", then don't talk | | | | something that is easy to chew. Offering |
| with your mouth full. Kids learn what they see-so | | | | substitutions and other choices at each meal can |
| be sure that "bad habit" isn't just a miniature | | | | help break the pattern. |
| version of something you do yourself! Another | | | | 4. Avoiding vegetables: Fear of broccoli isn't just |
| great way to help younger children is to play | | | | for kids-most adults don't eat enough veggies |
| "restaurant" for a day, and act as the waiter, | | | | either! Make sure you are offering vegetable |
| chef, and manners coach. Chances are, this role | | | | choices at each meal-and make them appealing. A |
| playing will bring out the best manners, and | | | | plate of grey, limp green beans isn't going to |
| provide you with a valuable teaching opportunity. | | | | appeal to anyone-but a green bean casserole can |
| 2. Eating only junk food: There are two ways to | | | | disappear pretty quickly in most homes. You can |
| cut down on the junk. First, simply don't buy it, or | | | | also consider making a "one bite" rule-as in |
| don't buy as much of it. Once you limit the supply, | | | | everyone needs to take just one bite of |
| you automatically cut down on the amount of | | | | everything offered. Doing this can help your child |
| junk your kids can consume. Next, offer healthy, | | | | learn to like a variety of foods, and still give them |
| but tasty alternatives. Kids that are plowing | | | | the choice of declining if it is something they truly |
| through a bag of chips in one setting may enjoy | | | | don't like. |
| something else with crunch, like whole grain | | | | Some eating habits are easy to change-and some |
| pretzels. Don't be afraid to be sneaky-there are | | | | are more challenging. Toddlers and young children |
| several books available that detail how to sneak | | | | can be passionate about something one day, and |
| healthy foods into appealing snacks that mimic | | | | completely forget it the next. Offering a variety |
| "junk food". | | | | of healthy foods, and eating seated at the table |
| 3. Eating only a single food or food group: This is | | | | can help eliminate many of the bad eating habits |
| most often a problem with the toddler set-they | | | | you may be observing, and help your child be a |
| can get hooked onone particular food or food | | | | healthy, hearty eater for life. |