Picky Eaters

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My children are picky eaters; can you tell me what the top five foods are that kids need to be healthy?

Joey Shulman · alive Expert Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 7

We love our children from their heads to their toes, but… when it comes to the picky eater, it is hair-pulling time! Although it can be quite trying for parents when dealing with finicky fusspots, quality nutrition is crucial for optimal growth and development. By providing our little ones with healthy food packed with minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients, and essential fats, we will be protecting them with a “nutritional safety net” from infection and illness.

The top five foods for children are:

1. Green and orange vegetables - Broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, and carrots offer wonderful nutrition. Puree broccoli and spinach and add to a tomato sauce and make sweet potato fries to tempt your child’s palate. Also, visit your health food store and inquire about green drinks that offer organic blends of fruits and veggies to add to a morning shake, water, or to make into healthy Popsicles.

2. Berries - Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are full of protective chemicals called bioflavonoids that optimize immune system function.

3. Lean proteins - Protein is essential in a growing child’s body for proper muscle development and energy. Egg whites, cold-water fish, free-range chicken, and soy are excellent choices.

4. Essential fats - Ensure that your child gets enough of the good omega-3 fats in the form of flaxseed oil, walnuts, seeds, cold-water fish, and flavoured fish oil supplements.

5. Whole grains - Eliminate processed, white flours from your child’s diet and substitute with whole grain flours such as spelt, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, and brown rice.

CaliSunshine · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

Hello

My roommate has an 18 month old and he is in his picky phase. She often takes fruits and veggies and makes fun little snacks out of them. He even helps her with some of the snacks. Its fun for both mom and son.

julia9696 · Joined: 29 Jun 2008 Posts: 7

It's really becomes difficult for the mother if her children is a picky eater. :) A child needs lot of nutrients. So the diet should be healthy and tasty also. Otherwise baby will reject that. :(

JoJoanie · Joined: 19 Dec 2008 Posts: 10

I read a funny story somewhere about a mom who put shrimp and spinach on a pizza one day. Her kid wanted to eat something else and she simply said I don't have time to make what you want but I have pizza. That was all the kid needed to hear "pizza". So he scarffed down the pizza with healthy stuff all over it.

That was all that was needed. Pizza as the mediator.