Eight Most Common Feeding Mistakes with Children

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If your child is picky when it comes to food or doesn’t like eating at all, you’re probably having a tough time. By now, you’ve likely read tons of articles and books on the topic. You’ve sought advice from other parents who have the same problem, but when it comes to your child, those tips just don’t work!

Nutritionist Toby Amidor, an expert in this field, has a few good tips for proper child nutrition.

Mistake 1: Forcing Your Child to Eat

If you force your child to eat something they dislike, reconsider that approach. This method can exhaust both you and your child, and the negative consequences are many—it may cause your child to dislike not just the food, but the entire mealtime routine.

Instead, don’t make a fuss when your child refuses something. If you avoid overreacting, the next time your child sees the same food, they might not resist as much. With time and a positive attitude, your child will gradually start eating that food normally.

Mistake 2: Only Cooking What the Child Likes

Many parents fall into the trap of preparing only the child’s favorite foods out of fear they’ll go hungry. However, that’s not a solution.

Instead, prepare meals that include at least one ingredient your child enjoys. For example, if your child only likes fries and meat but avoids vegetables, serve a meal that includes both a favorite and a less-liked food. If your child is older, involve them in the cooking process—it will motivate them to try more foods!

Mistake 3: Insisting They Clean the Plate

Parents often go overboard with portion sizes.

If you’re unsure about proper portion sizes, seek professional advice. A common rule is to serve one tablespoon per year of age for each food item. For example, for a two-year-old, serve two tablespoons each of rice, carrots, and meat. It’s also important that the child had a snack one to two hours before the main meal. Instead of forcing your child to clean the plate, focus on making sure they’re full and satisfied.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Your Child’s Taste Preferences

Children have more sensitive taste buds than adults (which dull over time). Something that seems mild or bland to you might taste too salty or intense to your child. Try cooking milder foods and listen when your child says something is too strongly flavored.

Mistake 5: Giving Up Too Soon

Don’t give up just because your child rejects a food the first time. Studies show that it can take up to 20 exposures to the same food before a child accepts it.

Instead of abandoning a certain dish, keep preparing it and let your child interact with it. Let them touch it, put it in their mouth, and even spit it out. Eventually, they’ll get used to it and stop resisting.

Mistake 6: Too Many Snacks

Snacks aren’t good for adults, let alone for children. These snacks are packed with sugar, artificial colors, and additives that aren’t healthy at all.

Instead of processed snacks, offer your child fruits or other healthy foods as a snack.

Mistake 7: Using Food as a Reward

If you use unhealthy foods like candy or chips as a reward for eating lunch, that’s a mistake! It’s the easiest way to develop bad eating habits in your child. Rewarding with sweets can even lead to addiction.

Instead of food, reward your child with a visit to the park or another activity they love.