Learn how to deal with children who have difficulty eating

It is not uncommon to find children who refuse to try to consume fruit and vegetables, as well as parents who report difficulties in getting their young children to eat properly. “First of all, it is important to remember that the child goes through different stages during development, and the desire to eat varies according to these stages,” explains pediatrician Dr. Artal Nile. An important piece of advice is to pay attention to the family’s eating habits, because if the parents don’t eat well, it will be more difficult to get the little one to eat well.

Important nutrients for the baby

It is important to pay attention to the composition of the children’s dish. “All food groups are essential in children’s nutrition, with particular attention to the consumption of milk, due to the important contribution of calcium,” guarantees nutritionist Laura Ramos Toledo. In addition, fruits, vegetables and greens are essential for the supply of vitamins and minerals, and meats are indicated when it comes to an adequate supply of protein and iron.

“Babies from six months can begin to gradually introduce foods, eating fruits, vegetables, meat and egg yolks, leaving egg whites and seafood for when they are one year old – by this stage, they should already be consuming the same foods as the family, ” He explains.

The doctor. Nilo Artal adds that food for this age group should consist of small, frequent meals. It must also cover all energy and construction macronutrients, as well as being rich in essential nutrients such as iron, calcium and vitamins A, C, D.

Distractions during meals

Many parents end up resorting to television to distract their little ones and get them to eat. Nutritionist Laura Ramos Toledo points out that no form of distraction should be used during mealtimes, as children should be learning healthier eating habits from an early age.

“Children should eat their meals in quiet environments away from television and other distractions so that the act of eating is mindful and, with that, they learn to regulate their appetite, the amount ingested and other social aspects involved in eating in complete family.

don’t offer rewards

Giving your child food rewards, such as sweets and toys, is also not recommended by experts. “A child who refuses to eat should never be stimulated by these methods, but to eat based on the real need to eat well”, underlines Laura Ramos.

Teach your child good habits

A good tip to attract the little ones and facilitate the meal is to make them participate from the moment of purchase to the preparation of the food. “It is an opportunity for parents to help in the process of nutrition education, which is an important tool for building healthy eating habits. Each step must be followed by guidelines and examples, based on the child’s age, so they can take it as a routine for their diet,” advises Laura Ramos Toledo.

In general, it is important that children participate in meals like adults so that they develop good eating habits. “Children’s learning is based on observing the behavior of adults, so they have to eat and enjoy vegetables. Sometimes, a re-education of eating habits in the family is necessary,” concludes Dr. Artal Nile.