>
When it comes to your child’s eating habits, there’s a science to making sure they don’t become picky eaters.
Some children are sensitive to sensory properties of food, such as smell and texture, which can be unpleasant and put them on the path to refusing food.
British parenting and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed told DailyMail.com that the best way to avoid fussy eating is ‘Veg-Led Weaning’, the idea of gradually building children’s tolerance to bitter vegetables as they transition to solid foods .
Babies are born with a taste for sweet, but lack a taste for savory and bitter foods.
Some children are sensitive to sensory properties of food, such as smell and texture, which can be unpleasant and set them on the road to food refusal
“It’s about starting the weaning journey with a variety of vegetables to help your baby taste a variety of very new tastes,” said Stirling-Reed.
“Once you’ve offered some flavors of veggies, it’s about broadening out and gently and gradually offering more variety, including some protein, fruit, and carbs, while also providing plenty of veggies.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics says kids can start transitioning from purees to solid foods around six months.
However, foods that are only blended, pureed or soft boiled are recommended. And this includes grains.
When a child is seven or eight months old, they can eat different foods from different food groups.
“Introducing solid foods is such an exciting time, but for many it can also be a time of confusion and anxiety… which is exactly why I do the work I do to give families confidence when it comes to feeding their babies that very first food,” said Stirling-Reed, who is a Sunday Times bestselling author of “How to Wean Your Baby” and “How to Feed Your Toddler.”
“There is a new concept in weaning that I like to call Veg Led Weaning. It’s about starting your baby’s weaning journey with vegetables.
“Vegetables are a great idea for providing babies with a safe, cheap and convenient first food that is easy to prepare and helps your baby explore more of their tastes.”
Vegetables are also packed with complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for your baby’s development.
Stirling-Reed explained that parents should focus on balanced meals when their baby is 10 months old.
She suggested offering a carbohydrate, protein, vegetable or fruit, and some type of dairy product as one meal.
“You may need to adjust meals for younger babies and toddlers, but you can still provide them with balanced family options,” says Stirling-Reed.
Parenting and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed told DailyMail.com that “Veg Led Weaning” is the best way to avoid picky eating. She recommends the Tripp Trapp high chair so that your baby feels like he’s eating with the family
Spaghetti Bolognese, for example, contains beef (or lentils), tomatoes, pasta, and often a little cheese. Curry usually contains rice, vegetables and chicken (or chickpeas), but you may need to mash, chop or cook a little more for younger babies and toddlers.”
However, she is not blind to the fact that food refusal is still on the table.
“This is very common and most families go through periods of food refusal. However, they weaned their child. That’s okay,” Stirling-Reed said.
“Remember that children’s appetites naturally fluctuate, so some days they eat more and others much less.”
She offers ways to cope with food refusal, such as accepting their appetite cure.
If your child doesn’t want to eat a certain dish, accept it and don’t push it.
Research has shown that force-fed children tend to have lower weights and more picky eating habits.
Another way to navigate refusal is to eat with your child.
“I’m a big fan of trying to include them in your family’s meals and offering them similar foods and meals (albeit perhaps slightly modified for babies) to what you eat as a family,” said Stirling-Reed .
“That’s why I like the Stokke Tripp Trapp because it makes that possible and helps babies get comfortable with the way your family eats.
“This means that as they get older and into toddlerhood, they’re more likely to accept your family meals and family cooking if they’ve been offered it and are familiar with it from a young age.”
She also encourages parents not to call attention to their child’s picky eating, as that usually prolongs the behavior.