How to handle a picky eater

Is your kid a picky eater? It's not uncommon for young kids to have finicky tastes. Pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, shares 4 tips to manage picky eaters.

Transcript

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It's not unusual for children to have one good meal, one fair meal, and one poor meal a day. All of it ultimately averages out to a fairly decent amount.

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Hi. I'm Dr. Altmann. Parents often ask me what to do about their picky little eaters. Between the ages of 1 and 5, kids typically

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start eating less because they aren't growing as fast as they were in the first year of life. And many will refuse to try new foods

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or suddenly reject foods they previously liked, or they want the same food over and over. The good news is picky eating typically

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doesn't lead to poor health or nutritional deficiencies. Here are some tips to handle your picky eater. Don't force your child to eat.

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Meal time will become one of the worst times of day if you do. Know that your child's likes and dislikes may change day

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to day or month to month. Have faith in the law of averages. It's not unusual for children to have one good meal, one fair meal, and one poor meal a day.

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All of it ultimately averages out to a fairly decent amount. Make it a habit to offer healthy food and let your child eat as much or as little as she wants.

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This will avoid unnecessary mealtime battles and encourage healthy eating habits for life.