What to do with a child who does not eat well?
Mohammad Yousefi Chiraghi
Karajspeech therapy
What should we do with a child who does not eat well?
- July 15, 1404
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When eating becomes a battlefield...
If mealtimes at your house feel more like an all-out battle than spending time together, we totally understand. You may have spent hours, cooked a colorful and delicious meal, but your child just stares at his plate coldly and says: "I don't like this!" If this scene is familiar to you, you are probably dealing with a phenomenon known as the malnourished child.
A bad eating child is not just an "excuse-making" child; He may actually have physical or psychological reasons for refusing food. Malnutrition in children is one of the most important concerns of parents today. Not just because the child isn't eating, but because feelings of helplessness, worry about the child's development, and even guilt can wear parents down. But the good news is: you're not alone, and this problem can be solved. Thousands of parents have faced the same challenge and managed to change the situation with the right methods.
In this article, you are not going to read just some clichéd advice; We step into the world of the malnourished child, examine the reasons for his behavior and provide real, simple and effective solutions that can be implemented in your daily life. If you're ready to get rid of the daily battles with the spoon and fork and instead make eating a joyous and stress-free moment, stick with us until the end of this article. Maybe today, take the first step to reconcile with your bad food child.
1. Why does my child not eat anything? Is the food really bad or is there something else?
Have you ever used all your creativity to make an attractive meal for your child, but he just looks at the plate and says, "I won't eat"? If your answer is yes, you are not alone! Bad food child is a common nightmare of many parents. But what exactly does bad food mean? A picky eater typically refuses a wide range of foods, only accepts certain foods, or gets bored of foods quickly. These behaviors may make parents worry about their child's growth and proper nutrition.
There are many hidden reasons behind this malnutrition. Sometimes the child just wants to show his independence. Sometimes negative eating experiences, stress, or even physical problems such as gastric reflux or digestive sensitivities can lead to reluctance. Here's the important thing: not all children are picky eaters, but they may show similar behaviors at certain stages of development. The difference between a child who does not eat well and a child who sometimes does not eat is the continuity and intensity of his behavior.
If you think your child has entered the cycle of malnutrition, don't worry. In the rest of the article, we'll explore some tried-and-true strategies to help you deal with this important challenge — and even turn it into an opportunity for your child's growth.
2. 7 signs that show that your child is really bad at eating!
All children sometimes nag and avoid eating. But is this just a temporary fad or a sign of a serious eating disorder? Determining whether a child is really picky or just doesn't want to eat is not an easy task — but knowing the main signs can make the decision easier. Next, we examine the most important behaviors that are usually seen in a malnourished child:
- Persistent refusal to eat new foods
- Insistence on eating only certain types of food
- Severe negative reactions such as crying or anger when eating
- Taking a long time to eat even a small amount of food
- Avoid certain foods such as vegetables or meat
- Sensitivity to the texture, color or smell of food
- Excessive excuses during meals
If you see most of these signs in your child, he is probably one of the children with bad food. The important thing here is that the child's bad eating behavior is usually stable and not limited to just one or two meals. In such a situation, parents' principled and patient approach can change everything. Malnutrition is manageable—provided it is approached with accurate knowledge and practical strategies. In the following sections, we will introduce techniques that are really worth trying!
3. Why is my child sick? 6 hidden reasons that you may not have known until today
You might say to yourself, "I'm doing everything right, but my picky eater still won't eat!" The fact is that eating disorders are not just a behavior; There are many reasons behind it, knowing which can make the path clearer. In the following, we examine 6 common but hidden reasons for children's malnutrition:
1. The need for control
Children, especially between the ages of 2 and 5, love to feel in control. Not eating is sometimes a way to show "independence".2. Negative experiences with food
If your child has previously vomited or retched while eating, they may associate food with anxiety. 3. Sensory sensitivities
Some children react strongly to certain textures, smells or tastes. For example, soft or mixed foods may be annoying for them. 4. Parents' behavior during meals
Threats, bribes or high pressure can have the opposite result. A malnourished child usually resists coercion. 5. Family eating patterns If vegetables or healthy foods are not consumed at home, the child will not get to know them either. 6. Medical or digestive problems Some children do not want to eat for medical reasons (such as reflux or chronic constipation). In these cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Knowing these reasons can help us to deal with a malnourished child not by force, but with understanding and proper planning. At a young age (1 to 3 years old): Many children may seem to have a bad appetite due to the introduction of solid foods and a sense of independence. A picky eater at this age usually tends to reject foods or only accept a few types of food. This behavior is normal, but it requires the patience and follow-up of the parents so that the malnourished child gradually accepts more variety of food. At preschool ages (3 to 6 years): A picky eater may become more sensitive to new tastes and textures and eating becomes a challenge for him. Parents should encourage the picky eater to eat by using attractive and encouraging methods, such as playing with food or telling stories. At school age (6 years and above): A child with a bad diet may pay more attention to social patterns and the influence of friends. At this stage, friendly conversations and creating a positive environment while eating are very important for a child with a bad appetite. Knowing these differences in the malnourished child's appetite at different ages helps parents to adopt correct behaviors with patience and awareness and improve the appetite of the malnourished child. So far we have understood why some children do not eat. Now it's time for the most important part: how to change this behavior? Contrary to popular belief, correcting a child's bad eating behavior does not require complex solutions; You just have to be principled and patient. In the following, you will read some practical solutions with which many parents have achieved excellent results: 1. Be a positive role model
If you yourself eat healthy foods with enthusiasm, your child will imitate you. Children learn from us more than we think. 2. Reduce the pressure Insisting too much on eating is counterproductive. The eating environment should be calm, non-threatening and non-coercive. 3. Create variety and attractiveness Colorful foods, patterned plates and even creative cuts can make food more attractive to children. 4. Cook together When the child participates in the preparation of food, the probability that he will try it multiplies. 5. Set mealtimes Snacks and unplanned snacks blind the child's appetite. Try to have a regular meal interval. 6. Be patient You may need to introduce a food to your baby 10-15 times before he finally accepts it.Consistency is the key to success with a fussy baby. By implementing these few simple tips, a better way to eat in your family will open. You just need to spend a little patience, creativity and stability. Most children eat food first with their eyes, not with their mouths! For a picky eater, the appearance of food is very important. Even if the food tastes great, but looks unattractive, he may never give it a chance to try it. 1. Use colors
Vegetables such as carrots, colored bell peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, peas and broccoli can turn the food plate into an attractive color palette. 2. Make emoticons Cut the food into the shape of animals, flowers, or cute emoticons using special molds or the simplest methods such as a sharp knife. 3. Choose child-friendly dishes Dishes with cartoon, colorful and happy designs can encourage a picky eater to sit at the table. 4. Don't simplify the plate, tell a story! For example, say: "These mashed potatoes are the castle of the kingdom and these broccoli are the soldiers!" Play and imagination are the golden keys in feeding a child. Never underestimate the power of the appearance of food when interacting with a picky eater. Sometimes, with just a little creativity, you can open a new way for the child to reconcile with food. Even good intentions will have the opposite result if implemented in the wrong way. Many parents, hoping to improve the condition of their malnourished child, unintentionally engage in behaviors that worsen the condition. Mistakes to avoid: ❌ 1. Compulsion to eat "Until you eat, you won't wake up!" These sentences create a negative feeling towards food. ❌ 2. Bribing with unhealthy foods
For example, say: "If you eat your vegetables, I'll give you ice cream." This makes healthy foods negative and unhealthy foods rewarding. ❌ 3. Comparison with others Sentences like: "Look, your sister ate all her food!" It only lowers the child's self-confidence and creates a sense of unhealthy competition. ❌ 4. Threat or punishment Eating should not be associated with stress, crying or punishment. A malnourished child needs mental security. ❌ 5. Inconsistency in promises Irregular food schedule can create false hunger or satiety. Planning is the basis of change. By avoiding these behaviors, you can provide a safe and positive environment for a better relationship between the child and food. Most children's malnutrition is normal and it gets better with time and home remedies. But sometimes the nutritional behavior of a child with bad food may be a sign of more serious problems that need They are specialized. In this situation, be sure to see a doctor or nutritionist: A malnourished child needs a safe and calm environment more than anything else. Where eating is a pleasurable experience, not a stressful one. Tips for building this environment: Remember, a malnourished child can trust food only in a calm environment. Children have a different world; A world where imagination is more important than reality. Therefore, play and storytelling can be wonderful tools for feeding a picky eater. Some practical ideas: For a malnourished child, play means acceptance. When food becomes entertainment, it is no longer just "eating", but becomes part of the child's world. One of the best ways to get a picky eater to love eating is to get involved in food preparation. When children feel like they have been a part of the food making process, they develop a sense of ownership and curiosity about the end result. Some age-appropriate activities: In fact, when the child says: "I made this food myself!" The probability of eating it increases. One of the common mistakes of parents is that they put a whole plate in front of the bad child and expect it all to be eaten. But the large amount of food may scare the child. It is better: For a picky eater, every spoon is a win. Let it go step by step. 4. Malnutrition in children of different ages; Every age is a different challenge for a child with bad food
Malnutrition in children can have a different form and intensity at each stage of development. Knowing the characteristics of bad food at different ages helps parents to better deal with a child who has bad food and choose more appropriate solutions.5. What to do with a child who does not eat well? Solutions that really work
6. Make the appearance of the food attractive to the malnourished child; Because shape has taste!
So how to make the appearance of food tempting for children?
7. Don't repeat these mistakes in dealing with a child with bad food!
8. When should we worry? Symptoms that need to see a doctor
Sometimes behind a child's bad eating behavior, there are medical or psychological problems, which early detection is very important.
9. eating environment; Unstressed, calm and without distraction
Game and story-making; A miracle to open the appetite of a bad food child
Participation in cooking; When children become cooks, they eat more!
Small promises, big victories; Start small
Summary: Be kind, creative and patient with the picky eater
Eating disorders in children is a challenge that requires patience, understanding and planning. There is no magic solution to solve this problem overnight, but by recognizing the causes, avoiding common mistakes, and using creative solutions, positive changes can be made in the child's eating habits. A child with an eating disorder may be afraid of food, mistrustful of it, or want more control. It is our duty to make this path safe, happy and attractive for him - not full of coercion and threats. If you proceed with heart and patience, a moment will come when your child not only eats, but also enjoys it.
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