Everyone has different taste in food and, like their opinion, I respect that. Nearly everyone has something they're not fond of. I, personally, have a texture issue. I don't like applesauce or similarly textured foods because it makes me gag. I have a friend who dislikes all fruit and fruit-related products. One of my daughters really doesn't like cheese and loathes deviled eggs. I know several people who won't touch what I refer to as "picnic salads". It's all a matter of preference.
With that being said, children are a horse of a different color. I know plenty of picky eaters when it comes to children. I had a niece who would only eat pancakes that were tiny, premade, thumb sized pancakes. I used to nanny for a little boy who would only eat chicken nuggets from the most expensive restaurant on the block (and his parents catered to this). I know someone who's daughter went through a phase that she didn't want anything her mom fixed, even if she'd liked it the day before. Children are infamous for picky eating...and sometimes they never grow up.
I don't really have picky eaters at all. My children are big eaters and they'll try nearly anything. Sometimes they like it and sometimes they don't. Most of the time, if they aren't big fans, it's more of a "I prefer not to eat it but I'll eat it if you fix it" approach. With that being said, here's the rules in my house regarding foods.....
1. This is NOT a restaurant. You get what's put in front of you. I'm not fixing four separate meals and I'm not accommodating your every whim when it comes to meals.
2. You are NOT allowed to just eyeball something and say that you don't like it. Before you make a decision, you have to try at least 5 bites of something. (Note: Most of the time, they end up deciding they like it after 5 bites anyway). The exception is Brussel Sprouts; you only have to eat one if you're not fond of them.
3. I'm fine with adding condiments to something but don't flood your plate. I wouldn't ever comply with eating a salad with no dressing so why would I expect the kids too?
4. You don't get dessert unless you eat a good dinner. It's not necessarily that you have to clean your plate but you have to show that you ate a good meal, ate until you were full, and made an effort.
5. You don't get snacks unless you finish your lunch. Granted, snacks are almost always fruit or veggies anyway, but the point remains the same: If you aren't going to finish your meal, you aren't getting a snack.
6. No grazing You are not spending all day eating. Eat a big breakfast, eat a good lunch, and eat a good dinner. If you've eaten well, you can definitely have a snack and maybe a dessert.
7. Lots of water. Period. Yes, we occasionally do Kool Aid. They get a choice between milk and juice for breakfast and have milk with dinner. Aside from that, you drink water and.....get ready for this....it's from the tap (screams of horror!).
I'm definitely not saying that my rules are why they aren't picky eaters but I'm thankful that the rules are so easy to enforce most of the time.....for now anyway. LOL
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