How to Encourage Healthy Eating in Children: Part 2

In the last post, we talked about ways to create successful mealtime routines, such as creating a routine and setting expectations. If you missed this blog post- go back and read it! In part two of this three-part series, we will talk about how to "create the plate" that will set your kiddo up for success!

Create The Plate
Every successful mealtime begins with the plate. Here are a few things you can do when preparing your child's plate that allows your child to be involved, encourages conversation for trying new foods, and gives your child the control they need when trying new things and making healthy choices. 
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1. Have your child be an active participant in mealtime preparation by picking out something for their plate. Involving them in the preparation for a meal helps them learn to make healthy choices, creates family time in the kitchen, and encourages them to try new things!
2. Make sure that each plate you and your child create has at least one food you know the child enjoys/will eat. I typically suggest 1-2 foods that you know your child likes, and then a small amount (sometimes even 1 bite!) of a new or non-preferred food. 
3. Start slow with the new/non-preferred food item. They don’t have to start by eating it all, but rather by working through a sensory hierarchy of getting food from their plate to their belly! **SPOILER: Sensory hierarchy information coming in Part 3!** 
4. An “All Done” bowl is a great way to give your child the courage and control they need to try something new. Once a food is placed into the "All Done” bowl, the child does not have to touch the food again. This is a great way to encourage the child to make contact with a new food yet trust that you are not going to make them eat it. This will help to decrease pressure and allow for a "start and finish" to trying something new. 

​Using these tips during meals will help your child learn to accept new foods and facilitate healthy choices surrounding foods we need to grow! If you have concerns about your child’s mealtimes, willingness to try foods, or other signs of feeding disorders, please contact our office. We would love to talk with you about ways we can help!

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