How To Make Mealtime Fun For Kids

Many times kids could be really fussy about food. These picky eaters can give you a hard time when it comes to eating. Kids between the age of 2 and 5 usually become fussy regarding their food habits. Some of them deny green vegetables while others are adamant about milk. No matter how the kids crib about food, parents have to do their part of making kids eat healthy and nutritious food. Here are a few tips you can follow if your kid is a picky eater too:

Sing-Song Manner

A tried and tested method of making kids eat is the sing-song manner. You can make the mealtime more interesting by attracting their attention to yourself. Sing a song or enact a character in order to make them more interested in the food. Along with your little enactment, keep feeding your toddler. This will not only make feed time more interesting but will also reduce the hassles.

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Distract Them

Another way of feeding your kid could be by distracting him. Either play a video on your mobile or give him his favourite toy. Handing him something interactive will keep his attention invested and will make it easier for you to feed him. Playing a video on YouTube is probably the best possible option as it will not give him time to crib about food. If your kid is already paying attention to something else, then it becomes much easier to spoon-feed him.

Use More Colour

In order to make your kid interested in the food, you can experiment with colours. Try adding different coloured vegetables in order to make the dish look more fascinating. You can also add food colouring to pasta or other healthy dishes. Pasta is made up of semolina (sooji) and is absolutely safe for kids. Try adding green, yellow and red bell peppers to make the food both healthy and appealing.

Try Interesting Shapes And Designs

You can also shape the food in a way which attracts the attention of your kid. Try making a heart shaped chapati or a smiley-face sandwich. These unique shaped food items will automatically attract the attention of the child and will make him demand for more. You can also add different shapes of pasta to your kid’s diet. Another healthy option could be star shaped watermelon, which can be easily shaped using special shape cutters available in the market.

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Give Baits

If your kid absolutely denies eating a particular vegetable, try giving him some bait. It can either be in the form of food or something which he likes to do. For example: Tell him that if he finishes his food, he will get his ice-cream or chocolate. Make sure you do not put this bait every day, as it isn't a healthy choice. This kind of bait can work once a week and only for food which he completely denies eating. You can also promise him that you’ll take him to his favourite park or mall if he finishes his food. Make sure you put a healthy bait and do not inculcate bad or unhealthy habits in your child.

Make It A Family Affair

You can also take the help of other family members in feeding your child. The grandparents can play an important role in diverting the attention of the child. They can also motivate him to eat more, one spoon at a time. Siblings too can help in the process by playing with the child as he eats. This will make your child less reluctant and will instantly make it easier for you to feed him. Usually when the whole family sits together and eat, the child learns and himself becomes less picky about food.

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