If your children are picky eaters, bribing or pressuring them will probably backfire.
But there are other steps you can take to help them get over their fussiness, researchers report.
Australian scientists reviewed 80 studies to find out more about fussy eaters.
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What works for a picky eater?
They found that pressuring a child to eat, offering rewards for eating and stricter parenting methods didn't help. But a relaxed parenting style works better.
The following can reduce the odds of fussy eating:
1. Eating together as a family
"Eating together as a family, with siblings, and having a single meal at a regular time all helped reduce food fussiness. Yet if fussy eaters were allowed to eat in front of the TV, or if they were rewarded for eating certain foods, these behaviors negatively influenced picky children," researcher Laine Chilman says.
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2. Involving children in preparing food
"Some families have kids who turn their noses up at any vegetable. Others are dealing with kids who dislike certain textures or colors of food. Some of these preferences relate to a child's characteristics or personality, which are difficult to change, if at all. But others are external factors that could help reduce fussy eating in kids," Chilman shares.
Getting your fussy child involved in the meal, either by helping to choose the menu or helping to prepare the meal can
expose them to different types of food and allow them to grow more comfortable with the different textures and colors that may be putting them off.
3. Avoid stress
"For parents with a fussy eater, mealtimes can be especially stressful -- juggling the family meal and a picky eater is no small feat," Chilman adds.
Researcher Ann Kennedy-Behr, a senior lecturer at the University of South Australia, says that stress can contribute to fussy eating.
"When you have a child who is a picky eater, it's very stressful for a parent or [caregiver] -- they're forever questioning whether their child is getting enough nutrients, enough food, and often enough weight gain," she says in a University of South Australia news release.
It's important to understand that being overly anxious or worried can actually contribute to increased picky eating, Kennedy-Behr adds.
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4. Keep negativity out
"Avoiding getting cross and limiting any negativity around mealtime will benefit everyone. Positive parenting, no matter how difficult it can be in certain situations, is the best step forward for fussy eaters," according to Kenned-Behr.
The researchers offer these tips to help a fussy eater:
- Set a good example: Eat together as a family.
- Have regular mealtimes. This reduces levels of stress.
- Get kids involved in making meals. Familiarity and a sense of control can help.
- Turn the TV off. Focus on food.
- Keep mealtimes calm and stress-free. It will be a better experience for all.
- Don't reward, bribe or punish fussy eaters.
