Bledidoc Advice

The age between 3 and 6 years, is that of the refusing child, where the word “No” is used very commonly by him: no to dressing up, no baths, no new food. And it is a normal phase for him to prove himself and his personality throughout his growth period..

1. Try a new type of food each time so that your child gets more familiar with it.
2. Reduce the portions then add a little each time according to his responsiveness to it.
3. Mix the new food with what he already likes (spinach with pasta or lazania or pastries).
4. Serve the food with warm temperature, children love it.
5. Serve it in his favorite plate and favorite spoon, that will help him accept it more. Also having the family gathered around the food table will give him a sense of sharing and will reduce food rejection chances.
6. Let him watch you prepare food and explain to him the benefits of each type, that will encourage him to eat what he helped preparing, also the food smell plays an important role at inducing his appetite.
7. During constant food rejection, change the way you prepare it or try a new form of food for example: change from green mulukhiyah to the crusty one and from boiled okra(bemiya) to the fried one or from a tomato grain to a cherry tomato one, also, in case of rejecting what he used to eat before for example red meat. (replace the steak with meat pastries or a hamburger).
8. Be your child’s role model as he is an imitation machine. Eat what you offer him and show your excitement while trying new food, since it will be hard on you to convince him that sodas are bad while he watches you have them, avoid putting unhealthy food at the food table (ketchup, mayonnaise). As healthy food is beneficial to both children and grown ups.
9. Don’t force your child to finish his portion as it will make him realize that his opinion is taken into consideration which will encourage him to try again next time.
10. Don’t encourage your child to try new food by giving him rewards, he will consider what he is eating as bad and that if he has to endure it, he will receive chocolate, thus, he will continue to act this way and reject food at every opportunity.
11. No rewards and also no emotional blackmail (mum will be sad if you don’t eat: that will lead him to feel guilty), also no material blackmail( you will be forbidden from playing with your toys, thus, the child will perceive food as a never ending tragedy). Also without using force through violence as it will increase his stubbornness.
12. Certain types of food include strong flavors, the child might dislike (broccoli or cabbage), thus, do not hesitate to look for more ways to make its acceptance easier on him (and reduce its bitter taste).

Rejecting new food (by fear or ignorance) is a normal stage related to  the child’s growth and ability to develop his psychological needs in addition to building his character. It reaches its peak between four and seven years old and might last to the age of ten, so handle it with trust and without fear, as the human nature is complexed when it comes to the choice of food desired. Therefore allow him to choose what is healthy so that he can get the proper nutrition without force or obligation.

Dr Mohammad Harb, Pediatrician

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