Page 16 - AT

A16 LOCAL
Friday 29 November 2019

A Picky Eater’s Guide to the Holidays

By Cindy Herde you can watch together whelmed with new foods,
MIAMI, USA — “Everybody and even try to replicate people, and or places, it’s
knows a turkey and some for a hands-on sensory ex- easy for kids to shut down.
mistletoe. Help to make the perience. So make sure he has a
season bright. Another way to help prep is good snack, however not
Tiny little tots with their eyes to talk about the upcoming too much so he’s still curi-
all aglow… Might find it menu and help your child ous and willing to try some-
hard to eat the food you pick one or two items he thing new without the need
provide.” Ahh, the Holi- would like to try. Remember to fuss about being hungry
days. No matter which one children do their best when without his familiar foods.
you celebrate, they all they know what to expect
have two things in com- and what their choices are. 4. “Don’t tell me.
mon: Family and Food! Show me!” Unknown
2. “Cooking is not just
However, if you have a eating energy. It’s an expe- Lead by example. One of
picky eater, this magical rience.” Guy Fieri the simplest recommen-
season can come with anx- dations I give parents is if
iety and stress of relatives Make the meal a fun you want your child to eat
asking (and at times judg- hands-on experience. Pick something, you should eat
ing) why your child is not a dish or two and try to it too. Don’t put rice on
eating grandma’s famous make it with your child. One their plate and not put any
green beans or aunt Bec- of my favorite ingredients on yours. Be a role model
ca’s matzo ball soup. So, to experiment with is a po- for your child’s eating hab-
we’ve put together a list of tato. Kids get excited when its. The same should be ap-
helpful tips to get you and they realize that the potato plied around the holidays.
your child through these can transform itself into so The good thing about the
gastronomic challenges many different textures, holidays is that there’s a
this holiday season. colors, and flavors. You high probability there will
1. “To be prepared is can even come up with be plenty of other children
half the victory.” de Cer- fun names for dishes, like around, who can serve as
vantes. “Hulk Smashed Potatoes’. foodie role models. Consid-
Take time to help your child er setting up a kids’ table,
Picky eaters crave control process what the dish looks where kids can be them-
and need your help build- like, tastes like or feels when selves away from the con-
ing trust with food. So, prep- touching or eating. stant scrutiny of aunt Karen.
ping ahead is on top of my According to an article
list. Talk to your child about 3. “A hungry stomach in Physiology Today titled here-and-now, experienc- 6. “There’s no fear
the holidays and food tra- cannot hear.” La Fontaine Why Children Make Great ing everything through their when you’re having fun.” –
ditions associated with Role Models (Oct 2017): five senses in a state of un- Will Thomas
them. Books like “What’s Offer your child a small “Children make some of adulterated awareness. ”
for Thanksgiving Dinner “by amount of food or a snack the best role models, sim- Think about how this can Take the focus away from
Sally Huss can help with the before you leave the house ply because their original help other kids who are eating and instead make
preparation of the upcom- or guests arrive. Starving nature is to be purely and weary and distrustful of the day fun and interac-
ing meals. YouTube videos your child will not be best authentically themselves food. Seeing other kids try- tive. Have your child help
about how to cook differ- when he is not in his daily as well as their natural abil- ing and enjoying foods at with setting the table,
ent dishes are great visuals environment. When over- ity to be fully present in the the same table can be the come up with a theme for
perfect model your child the meal, make some arts
needs. & crafts centerpieces, etc.
Playing fun games or activi-
5. “If it is not good ties like decorating cook-
enough for your eye, why ies or stuffing the pretend
is it good enough for your turkey, can help remove
stomach?” – Yourofksy anxiety around eating and
shift the child’s anticipation
Most kids eat with their to something fun and relax-
eyes first. So keep servings ing.
small and limit the num-
ber of items on their plate 7. “Don’t get your tin-
to a max of 2 or 3 different sel in a tangle.” – Unknown
items. My rule of thumb is, Excitement, anxiety, an-
it’s better to offer seconds ticipation, all these feel-
than remove an unfinished ings can alter and affect
plate. Kids need to feel a your child’s appetite. So
sense of success and offer- go easy on your child and
ing too much volume and also on yourself. It’s a given,
variety might visually over- family members will most
whelm your child. Offer definitely offer advice, and
small amounts and plenty usually, it comes from those
of praise when your child who you least expect it.
has been able to finish his The best reaction is no re-
meal. action. Smile and move on.
Continued on Next Page