Little Forks Forward

Helping Our Little People Make Healthy Choices

If you’re a parent reading this, then you probably serve as the biggest influence in your child’s life. Your child watches you closely and attempts to copy your habits. Little girls place their little feet into mommy’s patent leather pumps, and adventurous little boys get into the shaving cream to apply it just the way daddy does.

You are a role model to your children, so they are more likely to eat the foods you tend to eat. A lot of children are just natural picky eaters which can be very frustrating. This is the stage where kiddos are trying to assert some independence. Pray for some patience because it can take up to 15–20 times for a child to be exposed to a new food before they accept it! At the same time, we have our own food preferences and we don’t like every single food we are served, right? We can’t be so discouraged here. Flexibility is helpful.

Did you know that feeding your child isn’t just your responsibility? Wait, what? Your child has an important job as well.

Ellyn Satter, a Registered Dietitian, Family Therapist, and child feeding expert, calls it the division of responsibility.

Parents are responsible for what to eat, when to eat, where to eat.

Children are responsible for how much to eat and whether or not to eat.

This really applies to healthy children but there could be some exceptions as well. Some children have special feeding circumstances. See some tips below to help create positivity during mealtimes.

Help your child put his or her little fork forward in the best way by trying the smart snack ideas below from eatright.org!

-Gaby McPherson MS, RD, LD