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Crunchy foods for babies


Snacks for Toddlers: A Mega List of Toddler Snack Ideas

Are you giving your toddler the same snacks every day? My mega list of snacks for toddlers will offer you fresh inspiration for healthy snacks, while adding nutrients to the diet of your growing toddler.

Toddler snacks should be flavorful, nutritious and a bit challenging for the palate, whether it be from texture, spice or other.

I’ve worked with a lot of toddlers over the years in my private practice. One thing that comes up in conversation is snacking.

Do toddlers need snacks? How many each day? Should they be sit down snacks or is it okay to eat them on the go? How about eating snacks in the stroller?

As a pediatric nutritionist, I view toddler snacks through the lens of nutrition, growth and development. I think about a toddler’s tummy: its size, digestion abilities, and the speed of which food contents move through.

I consider the high nutrient requirements of the toddler and the limited space (the tummy) to hold them. I also know how important it is to develop healthy flavor preferences, good eating habits early on, and a sense of adventure with trying new foods.

All toddlers need healthy snacks. All parents need healthy toddler snack ideas!

Do Toddlers Need Snacks?

Yes, they do and here’s why:

Small tummies mean that toddlers can’t (and wont’) eat large portions of food in one sitting. They need an eating schedule that offers frequent eating sessions throughout the day. I typically recommend 3 meals and 3 snacks during the day, spaced out every 2 to 3 hours.

Healthy snacks for toddlers should be just as nutritious, interesting, and flavorful as meals. In fact, I want you to think of toddler snacks as a ‘mini meal.’

Just a smaller number of food groups (2 or 3) and small portions.

Need a refresher on portion sizes for toddlers? Read: Toddler Portion Sizes

I view healthy snacks for toddlers through a lens of nutrition, growth and development.

~Jill Castle, MS, RDN

I also want you to consider snack time as an opportunity for your toddler to try new foods, become exposed to different flavors, and experience new textures. Oh, and don’t forget it’s a time to practice independent food exploration and self-feeding!

There’s a lot of potential good stuff happening with snacking. So, yes, toddlers benefit in many ways from healthy toddler snacks.

Toddler Snacks: Warnings!

Even though there will be more adventure with eating as you offer your toddler new foods, you still should be cautious about choking hazards.

Remember, eating skills are developing.

Never leave your young child alone while he’s eating, and for very young toddlers, stay attuned to their developing eating capabilities.

Always modify texture and size of food to match your toddler’s eating skills. Focus on finger food at this stage and gradually teaching your little one to use utensils.

Choking Hazards for Toddlers:

A few foods can be problematic for the toddler – take care to avoid these:

  • Candy and chewing gum (these are the most common culprits of choking in young children)
  • Small, hard pieces of food (raw, hard vegetables like carrots)
  • Large pieces of food (these can block the airway if not chewed thoroughly)
  • Round, cylindrical shapes such as whole grapes, hot dogs, string cheese, and meat sticks (quarter or cut smaller before serving)
  • Slippery or smooth foods such as large pieces of fruit with skin on, whole pieces of canned fruit, fruit with membranes like oranges
  • Dry or hard foods may be challenging to chew such as popcorn, nuts and seeds, chips, and pretzels
  • Sticky or tough foods such as nut butters, tough meat, dried fruit, and chewy candy

Healthy Snacks for Toddlers (Age 1 to 3 Year Olds)

It can be so easy to pull out the same orange cheesy crackers and milk every day at snack time, but you’d be missing a golden opportunity in feeding your toddler.

I’ve compiled this list to inspire your creativity with toddler snacks, while simultaneously creating opportunities for more nutrition and flavor.

Fruit Snacks for Toddlers

There are lots of fruit options for toddlers. From fresh to freeze-dried, add some of these in your snack rotation.

Fresh Fruit Snack Ideas
  • Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries)
  • Sliced apples (Peel the skin as needed)
  • Banana
  • Sliced peaches, nectarines and apricots (stone fruits – peel the skin as needed)
  • Grapes (quartered or cut into 1/8ths)
  • Clementine and oranges (peel and separate; cut each section into halves or thirds)
  • Cubed melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)

Packaged Fruit Snack Options
  • Applesauce cups
  • Applesauce pouches
  • Fruit cups like mandarin oranges or mixed fruit cocktail (in natural, or own, juices)
  • Fruit puree blends in pouches

Dried Fruit Snacks
  • Raisins
  • Craisins (dried cranberries)
  • 100% Fruit leather
  • Dried clementine, apricots, prunes (cut into smaller pieces)
  • Freeze-dried fruit “chips”

My Child CAN'T STOP SNACKING! | My Child ASKS FOR SNACKS All Day


Watch this video on YouTube

Veggie Snacks for Toddlers

Blanch raw veggies so they are tender and easier to chew. Also, slice, cube or chop veggies into small pieces for ease of eating.

  • Blanched carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc
  • Thawed peas
  • Cubed or thinly sliced “fingers” of cucumber (peel skin as needed)
  • Thinly sliced sweet peppers (red, yellow, green)
  • Cherry tomatoes (quartered)
  • Thawed edamame
  • Low sodium canned green beans, artichoke hearts (drained)
  • Cubed avocado

Try to incorporate seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Fun Dips for Toddler Snack Time

Toddlers love to feed themselves and experience food. You’ll hear “Me do it!” more and more as your toddler gains independence and confidence with eating.

Dips are a perfect way to hand over some independence and autonomy to your little one.

  • Hummus
  • Guacamole/mashed avocado
  • Salsa (red or green)
  • Low fat cream cheese (try flavored versions like strawberry, chive, vegetable, etc)
  • Nut butter (peanut, cashew, almond, etc)
  • Salad dressing (Ranch, Italian, French, Bleu Cheese, etc)
  • Yogurt (try plain yogurt mixed with a little bit of sriracha or salsa for a savory, spicy dip)
  • Applesauce, peach sauce, or other fruit purees
  • Maple syrup

Muffins for Toddlers

Muffins are a vehicle for all sorts of nutrient “goodies. ” Try making the ‘mini’ versions of these muffin recipes so your toddler can easily hold them.

  • Fresh Raspberry Muffins
  • Pancake Muffins with Raspberry Chia Jam
  • Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chunks

Whole Grain Snacks for Toddlers

A taste and preference for whole grains is important to establish in early childhood, especially as toddlers expand their diets.

Fiber in food can also be very helpful as toddlers learn to toilet train.

  • Triscuit crackers
  • Whole wheat pretzels
  • Whole wheat mini pitas (soft version)
  • Brown rice crackers and brown rice cakes
  • Whole wheat toast triangles (spread nut butter or melt a slice of cheese on top)
  • Graham crackers
  • Quinoa puffs
  • Whole grain waffle (mini or regular size)
  • Whole wheat macaroni (cooked)
  • Whole grain sandwich sticks (make a sandwich and cut into “fingers”)

Crunchy Snacks for Toddlers

Toddlers love crunchy foods. Take care to look for items that boast some good nutrients and choose those containing lower sodium levels (children aged 1 to 3 years should get no more than 1500 milligrams per day).

  • Veggie chips or sticks
  • Low sugar cereals (Cheerios, Kix, Chex, Puffins, etc)
  • Quinoa chips
  • Snap pea crisps
  • Mini brown rice cakes

Not sure which cereals would be best for your child? Read Best Cereals for Kids.

Dairy Snacks

Dairy foods offer a punch of nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and more. Don’t get stuck on only offering cheese…step it up with a variety of dairy options.

  • Full fat yogurt (plain or low sugar varieties)
  • Drinkable yogurt or smoothies
  • Yogurt sticks
  • Kefir (unflavored or flavored)
  • Cottage cheese
  • Sliced or cubed cheese
  • Glass of milk
  • Homemade smoothie

I’ve got help for choosing the best yogurt for kids and the latest on whole milk!

Protein Snack Ideas for Toddlers (Meat/Beans/Nuts/Egg)

While some of these protein foods may seem more like lunch items, they can be served as part of a healthy snack for toddlers, too.

  • Hard-boiled egg (sliced or cubed)
  • Cubed turkey, low sodium ham, or chicken
  • Tuna fish salad (use as a dip or spread)
  • Canned beans (black beans, chick peas; rinse before serving)
  • Deli meat roll-ups (sliced/chop as needed)
  • Nut butters (use as a spread or dip)
  • Chopped nuts (cashews, walnuts)
  • Hummus
  • Black bean dip

Feeling inspired with fresh ideas? I hope so! You can download my mega list of snacks for toddlers here and post it somewhere to remind you to keep rotating and using these toddler snack ideas as an opportunity to build nutrition into your toddler’s diet.

Want to learn more about making snacks? Check out my book, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Healthy Snacking, read 51 Filling Snacks for Kids and A Guide to Healthy Snacks for Kindergartners, or grab my Healthy Snack Planner for Kids.

TODDLER WEIGHT GAIN TIPS | 5 Ways to Help Toddlers Who are Slow Growers Gain Weight and Grow Faster


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40 Healthy Crunchy Foods for Kids

I was just working on a family’s protocol offering up recommendations for healthier “crunchy” foods, and thought “I need to share this!” So here I am with my list of 40 healthy crunchy foods for kids!

Most kids do very well with crunchy foods, especially picky eaters.

When Sienna went through her earlier phases of extreme picky eating, crunchy foods were a staple.  If I steered into the territory of mushy foods (like muffins) or slimy foods (like yogurt) it was anxiety-provoking.  I had to prepare myself for a lot of gagging, and even vomiting.  Nope…those days were not fun.

But here we are today, with a little girl who had my homemade pumpkin seed & zucchini crackers for breakfast, with hazelnut butter, and some coconut yogurt.  No gagging and no tears.  I NEVER thought things would change, but with some tweaks, we completely turned things around.  She is a different child at meals and stress is long gone.

Why do children crave crunchy foods?

SENSORY PREFERENCES

Picky eaters like my daughter in her earlier years, tend to be selective with food because of their sensory preferences.  For instance, a child can be under-sensitive or over-sensitive to sensory input like smell, taste, and texture.   

When we are under sensitivity, we can’t process sensory input from food properly or feel softer textures in our mouth (think of it as if the sensation in our mouth is numbed). When sensations are numbed, we would avoid foods like yogurt, bread, etc., and instead develop a preference for crunchier foods.  Sienna would also over-stuffed her mouth to help feel her food and get a sense of the oral boundaries. Intimately known as the “chipmunk effect”.

ORAL MOTOR DELAYS

Some children (also like my Sienna) have low muscle tone or delayed chewing skills.  They haven’t quite figured out how to move their tongue around and position food for chewing and swallowing.  Some crunchy foods are easier to manage because they often dissolve and require limited oral motor skills.  Kids get their energy/calories much quicker with these calorically-dense foods, versus having to gnaw on a lot of broccoli.

TASTE

And more simply, kids (and adults alike) may crave the crunch because these foods tend to taste better.  So I asked the parents who follow me which Crunchy foods their kids go crazy for and here’s what I heard:

  • Cheerios
  • Cheese Puffs
  • Cheetos
  • Cheesy Crackers (Cheezits, Cheese Nibs)
  • Animal Crackers
  • Goldfish
  • Chips
  • French Fries
  • Munchies

I’d love to know which crunchy foods your little one loves?  Comment below!

Alternative crunchy foods (healthier options)

Picky eaters also tend to be limited eaters, so getting a nutrient punch with every bite is important.  So I’ve also included a list of 40 crunchy foods (healthier alternatives) you can try at home.  Because rotating foods is important to keep (or get) our kids out of the cycle of eating the same foods (and nutrients) every single day.  Even the smallest change can help expand their variety.

The list here includes mostly packaged foods (aside from your fruit and veg options).  And I’ll be honest, we don’t have much of these foods in the house now. I prefer to slave over the stove making our own crunchy foods and saving the environment from all the packaging.

But I get it. Time is precious as a parent and without these convenience snacks, we’d go insane!  So I’ve selected the products you can feel good about giving your little ones.  They are better than the average crunchy cookie, chip, or cracker.  Mostly GMO-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and preservative-free.

As a Certified Nutritionist & Picky Eating Expert, I also help parents incorporate healthier alternatives unless their child has a VERY limited list of preferred foods. Then eating comes first and nutrition comes second.

 

40 Healthy Crunchy Foods 

Vegetables Carrot, Celery, Parsnip
Kale Chips   Love this brand as well
Snap Peas (organic)
Seaweed Crisps
Jicama
Fruit Apple slices
Pear slices (less ripe)
Banana chips  Sweetened varieties also available
Apple chips (organic)  Same as above
Sweet Snacks  Cashew Clusters
Coconut “Smiles”  Great source of healthy fats
Cinnamon Rice Cakes Top with favourite nut or seed butter
Coconut Clusters
Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas Great source of protein
Nuts & Seeds  Pumpkin Seeds High in iron and fibre
Cashews
Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Sunflower Seeds
Pecans
Chips  Beanitos Made of beans so higher in protein
Protein Chips
Snap Pea Crisps Or http://www. harvestsnaps.com/products/
Sweet Potato Chips
Blue Chips Gluten Free, Non GMO, Organic
Crackers  Rice Crackers  Limit to a few days a week due to concerns with arsenic.
Rice Cake Thins  Same as above.
Sweet Potato Crackers Beet flavour also available
Oat Crackers Gluten-free, No sugar
Mary’s Crackers Wheat-free, No sugar, Organic ingredients, few ingredients
Cereal  Love Grown Power O’s Bean-based cereal
Paleo Granola Nutrient-dense: mostly nuts and seeds, low sugar
18 Rabbits Granola Nut free
JK Granola My fave!  Gluten and grain free, low sugar
Cookies/Bars Quinoa Cookies
Ginger Snaps no preservatives, low sugar, additives, trans-fat or cholesterol, made with Spelt flour, Wheat-Free
Protein Bars Soy is primary ingredient so limit to one or two a week
Hemp Heart Bites Contains healthy fats

Download a printable version here!

Did I miss any favourites?  Let me know in the comments!

And if your child’s eating is a concern for you, definitely try out the “Curious Cookie Food Exploration Mat,” it is the ultimate mealtime tool to get picky eaters to try new foods faster and it will help you identify your child’s sensory preferences. Your child is encouraged to investigate each food you present them and walk through different sensory towns, by exploring foods sense-by-sense you can figure out what sense is affecting their eating habits.

 

List of harmful foods for children: what not to feed a child | Irsiti.Ru

1

Chicken nuggets

At first glance, there is nothing wrong with nuggets - chicken breast, breading of flour or crackers, sometimes cheese - that, in general, is the whole composition. But while manufacturers focus on the fact that their nuggets are made from real chicken, let's take a closer look at this dish. The first thing that brings all possible benefits to zero is deep fat. With this method of heat treatment, carcinogens are formed, and a merciless amount of oil makes the product fatty and high-calorie. nine0003

Another point is the quantitative ratio of meat and everything else. The examination showed that often there is a lot of breading in nuggets - up to 50% of the total mass. There are no regulations regarding ingredients, so, in fact, manufacturers do not violate anything. But not only do you overpay for crackers and butter, it also turns out that the protein in the nuggets is less than it should be in the chicken breast, and there are too many carbohydrates.

Nuggets can also contain too much moisture. Yes, this makes them juicier, but you overpay for regular water. And due to the fact that in addition to chicken meat, nuggets contain many other ingredients (including those not indicated in the composition), their nutritional value is much lower compared to the same chicken breast. nine0003

What is really hidden in nuggets

And do not forget that nuggets are a product of deep processing. With sugar (even if it is not felt, but it is) and added fats.

“Over time, due to uncontrolled consumption of large amounts of sugar, a person develops insulin resistance,” says dietitian Irina Toropygina. - Decreased sensitivity of insulin receptors. That is, there is a lot of glucose in the blood, but it is not absorbed, does not enter the cell, the cell experiences hunger and does not receive glucose to perform energy functions. In response to this, a person consumes sweets even more and only aggravates the situation. Excessive consumption of sugar inevitably leads to the development of carbohydrate dependence and, over time, to the formation of diabetes mellitus and obesity. nine0003

Irina Toropygina — dietician, specialist in functional integrative nutrition, DNA testing specialist.

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2

Corn flakes and muesli

Doctors say that it is more beneficial to feed a child with biscuits than with corn flakes - they even have less sugar. In addition, the option of a light and quick breakfast, beloved by children (and sometimes their parents), will “give” the body extra sweeteners, flavor enhancers and flavors. And if you see the inscription “enriched” on the packaging, this only indicates that the product has undergone maximum industrial processing. nine0011

Maybe replace muesli flakes? Maybe. But not the fact that they will be more useful.

— Due to the content of cereals and nuts, any muesli is quite high in calories: from 300 kcal and more, — says dietitian Elena Pavlovskaya. - Baked ones are fried in oil, they are, of course, tasty and crispy, but this is more a dessert than a healthy meal. The recommended amount of muesli even for an adult is no more than 30–50 grams per day. Do not forget that there are contraindications to eating muesli: if you have an exacerbation of gastritis or problems with the intestines, you do not need to eat them. They contain a lot of dietary fiber, which can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. nine0011

Elena Pavlovskaya — dietitian, candidate of medical sciences, researcher at the clinic of the Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.

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3

Juice

Children's juice producers are usually honest with their little consumers. In their examination products, neither sulfur dioxide (a preservative), nor ethyl alcohol, nor patulin (a toxic substance of natural origin that affects the digestive tract; sometimes present in food) is found. These drinks are made from exactly the fruits indicated on the package, they even contain a certain amount of vitamins and nutrients. But what's the catch? nine0011

“Let's start with the fact that the best source of fluid for both a child and an adult is water,” says nutritionist Irina Borodina. – Theoretically, juices can be used for baby food, but we must remember that packaged juices contain a lot of sugar, have a high glycemic index, increase appetite, have a sweet taste, which can lead to the formation of wrong taste preferences and refusal of some children from unsweetened foods (vegetable puree, porridge without sugar). For children aged 7-12 months, the World Health Organization generally recommends not giving juices, but chopped raw fruits and vegetables, such as banana, melon, tomato. nine0003

Irina Borodina — dietician, candidate of sciences, therapist of the 1st category.

Rospotrebnadzor notes that the most useful juice products are freshly squeezed juices made at home or in a restaurant. They retain the vitamins that were in the "source codes". But even they are not as healthy as whole vegetables and fruits due to the abundance of simple carbohydrates and low fiber content. Pasteurized direct-pressed juices are somewhat less useful. They are made from fresh vegetables, fruits or berries by mechanical pressing, and then kept at a temperature of 60-80 degrees: this method allows you to save a significant part of the beneficial properties of freshly squeezed juice. Reconstituted juice is even less useful. There are very few vitamins in it, and to make it healthier, manufacturers can artificially add vitamins and other biologically active substances (and this will be enriched juice). nine0011

Reconstituted juice is not the best treat for children

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4

Yoghurt

him once and for all - he is practically tasteless. But in a natural product there are definitely those very living bacteria for which it is valued. But the choice of thermally processed yogurts (the same ones that you see on store shelves) is Russian roulette, in which, moreover, it is important to separate at least two types of products: for babies from eight months old and for children from three years old. nine0003

Yoghurts for babies from 3 years old usually contain almost twice as much sugar as yogurts for babies from 8 months old. For a child under three years of age, this amount of sugar puts a lot of stress on the liver and pancreas. The risk of developing diabetes and obesity increases. Therefore, added sugar in complementary foods, if possible, should not be at all. Also, yogurts for children over three years old may have a higher acidity, which is also not good for babies.

Children's dairy products should contain no more than 7-8% sugar. But studies show that in some cases this norm is significantly exceeded (but who will tell you about it on the package) - 10% or more. Three sugar cubes in one jar. Half the daily value of an eight-month-old baby. nine0011

— For example: ice cream contains four spoons of sugar, vanilla yogurt contains five, and 300 grams of sparkling water contains nine, says Irina Toropygina. “Besides, we all heard about probiotics, but their effect is somewhat exaggerated. They artificially settle in the intestines and restore the population of beneficial bacteria. This is their main property. However, most of it is lost during digestion.

How to distinguish good yogurt from bad

An important component of yogurt is calcium. According to reference data, natural yogurt should contain 110–125 mg of calcium per 100 g of product. Some manufacturers promise even more - up to 240 mg. But these numbers remain only on the packaging. Experts checked how much calcium is in different yogurts. It turned out to be 2-3 times less than promised. That is, sometimes manufacturers take the numbers on the packaging, as they say, from the ceiling.

Calcium is essential for normal growth and development of the child. With its deficiency, the formation of bones and teeth is disturbed, children suffer from nervous disorders, increased nervous excitability, and convulsions may occur. The daily requirement for calcium depends on the age of the child: from 1 to 6 months - 400 mg; from 1 year to 5 years - 600 mg; from 6 to 10 years - 800-1200 mg. nine0011

“Children get only empty carbohydrates from sweet yoghurts,” says pediatric endocrinologist Natalia Lomonosova. - But dairy products cannot be excluded from the children's diet. They can and should be eaten. But let it be ordinary kefir, without sugar. If the child loves "Snowball", add half a teaspoon of sugar to a glass of kefir, it will be more useful. The child will receive both calcium and protein.

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5

Instant noodles

Although it has been proven that all these doshiraks are the same egg noodles, and without the spices that are in the package with the product, everything is not so bad, it should be excluded from baby food. Instant noodles, prepared according to the instructions on the package, are mostly rich in phthalates - chemicals that can cause endocrine disruption, reduce testosterone levels and harm reproductive performance. A large amount of phthalates, as it turned out, is contained in cheese powder (it's time to skip the cheese-flavored pack) - more only in flexible PVC and some types of cosmetics. For all that, the European Union, known for its strict regulations on food and household chemicals, has not listed phthalates on the list of highly hazardous substances, so manufacturers, in general, work within the established norms. nine0011

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6

More reading about kids, breakfast and food:

  • Seven foods to avoid in the morning;
  • What doshiraks are made of and how much harm they actually contain;
  • Dietitians - what should be the ideal diet for schoolchildren;
  • 7 juice health myths that everyone believes;
  • Everything you never wanted to know about oatmeal. nine0119

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Picky little eaters. If there is a problem with food texture

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Original: http://www.momables.com/picky-eaters-a-texture-problem/

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Let me introduce the first of a planned four articles on the topic of child nutrition problems. We get a lot of emails asking you how to deal with childhood food cravings. Is it possible to say that excessive pickiness in food is a sign of some kind of disorder? Will it always be like this? How can I help my child? All these questions are constantly raised in your letters. We would like to start with a “textural” problem, which, in practice, many parents do not know what to do with. nine0003

What problems can arise with the texture of food? For example, if your child only eats soft foods: bananas, cheese, snacks, yogurt, etc. Or he agrees to eat only what crunches: drying, carrots, chips and apples. If your child does not have difficulty swallowing, has lost all of his teeth, has no sensory impairment or an autism spectrum disorder, then the problem is most likely temporary. However, how long will it last? What can you do to expand your child's diet? nine0204 Research shows that a child's final eating habits are formed in high school. What he will eat at this age will become the basis of his diet when he matures. For example, my husband still hates crunchy cereal, and to me, nothing tastes better than a serving of jelly sprinkled with Grape Nuts. As for our children, the world has not seen more picky and capricious eaters than they are. So take my word for it, I've tried EVERYTHING I can to expand my capricious diet. nine0204 Here are 7 tips from a seasoned mom that will hopefully help you deal with textural problems in your baby's food.
Engage your child in sensory food play. Each of us must have been told: "Involve him in cooking, and he will wake up an appetite. " Well, those advisers just didn't run into my overly picky kids. They are happy to help me in the kitchen, but they do not take a crumb in their mouths. Try to outsmart them. If your child is crazy about crunchy foods, encourage him to play with sticky, soft materials, such as kneading dough with you or fiddling with cream. If your child likes something "softer", invite him to play with boiled pasta (older children can weave pigtails out of them and even tie sea knots). Dry pasta can be glued to paper and then painted. If you have a baby, put him in a high chair and let him play with his food. The trick is to connect the joy of the game with the interaction with a certain texture. nine0204 Change the texture of food. My son can't stand the texture of meat foods and hates crunchy foods, so we run most of his food through a food processor. Many types of food are mixed into cream cheese (so that the taste is not felt so sharp), “hidden” under tomato paste, and he also loves various hot sauces and sauces. Tacos for dinner tonight? He will eat a tortilla and gravy. And now what? Now whatever you want to put in a taco becomes delicious gravy! Wondering what to make sandwiches from? Place the tuna, chicken, or egg salad in a blender. You'll get a sandwich filling just the right consistency for your fussy eater. If your child complains that the food is too runny and sticky, tweak the recipes to get the right texture. Instead of mashed potatoes, bake potatoes or fry them in halves. Add croutons to the soup, and more crunchy ingredients in the sandwich filling. nine0204 Reward your child. Design a reward system. Every time your child tries something new (even a tiny piece), give them a token, coin, or sticker. When enough of them accumulate, "earned" can be exchanged for a new toy, a trip to the park, or something that he has long wanted to get. Does your 10 year old dream of a bike? Set a "price" and a time limit (for example, have him try to "save up" for a bike by his birthday). The trick is to make the reward system that is right for your child a permanent fixture in your life. The main thing is persistence. If something that he tried was to your child's taste, gradually introduce a new product into his diet. nine0204 Limit your choice. Do not pester your child with the question: "What are you going to eat"? Instead, give him a choice of 2 types of products, no more. We have peas, we have carrots, what will you eat? Do not force him to eat a lot, let him bite off 2-3 times, for starters. When you offer a specific choice, the child always chooses from what is available.
Let him get hungry. No, I'm not crazy. I know many families where a child is given a snack at 4 o'clock, and already at 6 they sit down to dinner, expecting that he will eat everything to the crumbs, and then worry that he has barely touched his plate. Oh really? What a nightmare! After all, the child simply did not have time to get hungry. I learned that it takes my kids at least 3 hours to get hungry enough to eat their least favorite lunch. Thus, we have a snack after school no later than half past three. nine0204 Give him all his favorite condiments and sauces. Whatever you try to cram into your child, it always tastes better with seasoning, checked. I agree that there is a difference between a teaspoon of ketchup and half a bottle that just ends up on the plate, but in this situation I will step on the throat of my own song as long as he agrees to eat vegetables. In the end, the “unwanted” product turned out to be “pardoned”, which means that mom can once again congratulate herself on her victory.
Praise, praise, praise! nine0181 No one requires you to pick up cheerleaders' pom-poms and shout out chants. The truth is, we all like to get the praise we deserve. Why is it so pleasant for me to hear from my husband “What a clean place around” after I have cleaned the apartment for several hours, but I am in no hurry to praise my son for overcoming a plate of peas? Praise is a great way to reinforce the behavior we would like to reinforce in a child.

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