Amanda Piccolo, MS, RD

Association For Child Development (ACD)

What are the obstacles?

Why is it important to think about obstacles?

How do you overcome obstacles of healthy eating?

Where to go from here?

Innately Picky

Survival Mode

Children are naturally reluctant to try new foods

Children prefer sweet over bitter

Role of the Caregiver

Responsible for feeding

Decide what, when, and where

Role of the Child

Responsible for eating

Decide whether and how much to eat

Texture issue

Children will only eat soft or pureed foods (bananas,

cream cheese, PB&J, yogurt) or crunchy foods (carrots,

pretzels, chips, apples)

Respect taste

Medical Diets

Diabetes

Celiac Disease

Lactose Intolerant

Food Allergies

Learn about the specific diet and follow medical advice

Preferred Diets

Vegetarian

Food allergy vs. food

intolerance/sensitivity

vs. food aversion

Read food labels

Ensure nutrient needs

are met

Teach children with

allergies which foods are

unsafe, how to read food

labels, symptoms of an

allergic reaction, and

what to do if they start

to experience symptoms

Educate yourself

At-risk nutrients

Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc

Plan ahead

Use CACFP meat alternates

Beans

Lentils and dry peas

Dairy (cheese and yogurt)

Fish and seafood

Eggs

Nuts and seeds

Try, try, and try again

Pair a new food with old favorites

Food of the week: try different preparations of the food, and

have the children vote on their favorite preparation

Involve parents: sample new food with parents before leaving

Try new foods at a time of day children will most likely accept

the food

Have child sit by another child who likes the

new food

Praise

What are processed foods?

Healthy processed foods contain: Whole grain

Low sugar

Low sodium

Low fat and saturated fat and no trans fat

Fortified with nutrients

Good source of fiber

Find healthier versions of your

favorite processed foods

Tacos

Casseroles

Sandwiches

Chicken Nuggets

Pizza

Lasagna

Soups

French Fries

Set the example

Meal structure

Family style meals

Watch your wording

Phrases That Help

These radishes are very crunchy

This is a kiwi fruit; it’s sweet like a

strawberry

Is your tummy making hungry growling

noises?

Is your stomach telling you you’re full?

Do you like that?

Which is your favorite?

We can try these vegetables another

time. Next time would you like to try

them raw instead of cooked?

I’m sorry you’re sad. Come here and

I’ll give you a big hug

Phrases That Hinder

Eat that for me

If you don’t eat one more bite, I’ll be

mad

You’re such a big girl; you finished all

your peas

Look at your sister; she ate all her

banana

You have to take one more bite

before you leave the table

See, that didn’t taste so bad, did it?

No dessert until you eat your

vegetables

Stop crying and I’ll give you a cookie

Build basic skills – counting, pouring, measuring, listening,

following instructions

Encourage an adventurous palate – children are more likely

to eat foods they helped prepare

Explore senses – listen, feel, smell, taste

Boost confidence

Age Specific Tasks

2-5 years old 6-8 years old 9-12 years old

• Wash produce

• Tear lettuce

• Wipe counters

• Cut soft foods with a dull

butter or plastic knife

• Place garbage in trash

• Spread peanut butter or

jam on bread

• Rinse a can of beans

• Add ingredients and stir

• Mash soft fruits or

vegetables

• Put bread in the toaster

• Whisk eggs

• Mix and roll dough

• Peel fruits and vegetables

• Boil pasta

• Set the table

• Peel hard boiled eggs

• Find ingredients

• Make a salad

• Help plan the meal

• Cook muffins, pancakes,

and French toast

• Use blenders and hand

mixers

• Open cans or containers

• Use a microwave to heat

foods

• Prepare simple recipes

• Shred cheese

• Work with timer and

thermometer

• Knead dough

• Steam rice

• Roast vegetables

• Plan meals

• Use a chef’s knife to cut

vegetables

Family Style Service

Models good eating habits and

table manners

Enhances motor skills (pouring,

scooping, serving)

Teaches portion sizes

Develops social skills and sharing

Develops self-confidence and

independence

Introduces new foods, and picky

eaters may benefit from social

influence

Creativity counts!

Rename the food

Peas “Power balls”

Sliced apples “Apple cookies”

Broccoli “Green trees”

Try dips or fun shapes

Make mealtime stress-free. Talk about fun and happy things

Use a blindfold and have children try the food. Often kids gauge

the food by what it looks like

Have everyone put hands behind their back and try the food

without their hands

Try eating with a toothpick or chopsticks

Snack Bingo

Taste Testing

Shopping for Healthy Foods

The Great Match-Up

Food Bingo Cards: match colors, food types, or jeopardy style

Food Related Book: read and serve a food from the book

(Strega Nona and serve pasta)

Theme Day: food, crafts, stories, and activities related to the

theme (ocean, jungle, animals)

Taste by Color

Green vegetables – broccoli, beans, kale

Taste by Variety

Different apples – Gala, Red Delicious, Granny Smith

Taste by Preparation

Raw apples, cooked apples, applesauce

Taste by Type

Different types of bread – whole wheat, rye, oat

kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com Frugal and Fun Mom

Breakfast Lunch Snack

Orange Sections Fruit Spider Creepy Crawlies (crackers, pretzels)

Spider Pumpkin Muffins Vegetable Spider Milk

Milk Spider Sandwiches (tuna, bread)

Milk

Count and sort pom-poms

by colors and sizes.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Pom-pom Spiders

Paper Plate Spider Webs

Food Scavenger Hunt

Musical Fruit and Vegetable Shapes

Treasure Hunt

Fruit Basket

I Spy Yummy Food

Food Songs

Octopus Tag

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpoflyKdo04/TbDzuObqsVI/AAAAAAAACRE/qZoZVo021IY/s1600/IMG_8226+3_blog.jpg

What You Need

½ graham cracker

4 celery sticks

6 baby carrots

1 grape

½ banana, sliced

1 strawberry

1 slice of bread

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1 tablespoon jam

2 slices deli ham

How to Make It Place graham cracker at the bottom of a plate. Arrange celery sticks above the cracker to

form stems. Create flowers and place above the celery sticks: arrange carrots in a circle to

form pedals with the grape in the middle. Place five banana slices in a circle with a

strawberry center. Cut the bread into the shape of a tulip and spread with peanut butter

and jam. Roll and twist deli meat to form a flower shape.

Tasks the children can do

Wash fruit and vegetables

Peel and slice banana

Count carrots and banana

slices

Cut bread into flower shape

Spread bread with peanut

butter and jam

Throw away banana peel and

other garbage

Assemble the flower pot

Eat!

http://ellynsatterinstitute.org

www.healthyeating.org

http://justtherightbyte.com/

http://our-life-is-a-blast.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-kids-to-eat-more-

veggies.html

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