To increase the chances of our children trying foods that will boost their immunity, present them alongside foods that they usually eat during meals. For example, I may serve some extra sliced orange alongside preferred peanut butter wraps at lunch. I may crumb some diced salmon pieces to bake alongside some chicken nuggets for dinner. I can serve spiralized carrot next to plain buttered pasta. Making friends with immunity boosting foods starts with a pressure-free introduction!
3. Reduce visible stress and pressure
With the shops being in a state of emergency, venture to the shops on your own as much as possible. Children pick up on the currents of stress and anxiety.
Anxiety works as an appetite suppressant! Our children need to succinctly understand that we are being careful about spreading germs even more so than usual.
Beyond that, they need reassurance from parents and assistance to keep stress at bay.
This is the same with meals. If you are stressed about each bite of broccoli your child takes, your child will perceive the stress. Your child’s appetite temporarily shrinks. Once the pressure is gone, perhaps an hour later, we may hear “I’m hungry, I’m starving”. This is when their tummy registers their hunger again after feeling “full” during the meal. Pressure comes in many forms including staring at your child while they are eating, asking them to take a bite, rewarding them with dessert, excessively praising them for trying a food and too much food talk during meals. Keep food talk to a minimum. Keep the stress away from mealtimes.
Overall, it is important to focus on the fact that we eat food and not just “key nutrients”. Lifelong habits start with baby steps at each eating opportunity.
Simone Emery is the children’s nutritionist behind this article. Simone is a mum and has been working with fussy eaters for over 7 years. Simone enjoys helping parents uncover the underlying reasons for their child’s fussy eating behaviour, recognising that physical, emotional and sensory systems all have a big role in learning to eat. You can find Simone on Instagram, Facebook and on her website.
