1. Managing Picky Eating

2. Picky Eating Facts
Around 2 years old, a toddler’s growth pattern changes.
They grow taller and lose some of their body fat.
Toddlers frequently have food jags such as choosing the same food every meal for a short period.

3. Home Food Safety Avoid nuts, raisins, seeds, grapes, and hard candies
Cut hot dogs in quarters lengthwise, then into smaller pieces
Cut whole grapes in half lengthwise
Chop nuts finely
Chop raw carrots finely or cut them into strips

4. Portions, Portions, Portions
Start with offering 1 Tbsp of each food for every year of age
Children are overwhelmed by too much food
Avoid the phrase “clean your plate”

5. Toddler Trends Typically, young children like sweets and fried foods
They may ask to try something and then leave it on their plate
A child may be exposed to a new food times before they like it

6. Tips on Encouraging Healthy Eating
Don’t become a short order cook
Always serve at least 1 food the child likes
Don’t reward eating vegetables with dessert
Child needs to be served what the rest of the family is eating.

7. Suggested Serving Alternatives
Mix fruits and vegetables into other foods
Doctor up fruits and veggies with sauces and dips
Suggestions:
Mash bananas into pancake batter
Make smoothies
Applesauce mixed into sweet potatoes
Pears, bananas in yogurt
Cheese sauce on cooked veggies
Make a dip for fresh fruits and vegetables

8. What Can You Do? Serve finger foods
Experiment with the temperature of food
Allow your child simply taste food without having to swallow it