I Have a PICKY 5 YEAR OLD eater
By foxygirle
@foxygirle (376)
Philippines
October 15, 2007 12:11am CST
my daughter is 5 years old. She is quiet small for her age compare to other kids, some of them are big, tall and she looks like she is just 3 years old. We have hard time feeding her, since most of the time she says she is not hungry. We also give her vitamins to boost her appetite, sometimes it works most of the time it doesnt.
She is healthy inspite of the situation. I just want her to eat more so she can grow taller. Any advise?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@talisman (1300)
• United States
15 Oct 07
How much you eat doesn't determine how tall you grow. You can't change what your height is going to be. If your daughter is healthy and her doctor hasn't mentioned anything that concerns him, then you have nothing to worry about. Kids will eat when they're hungry. You can always talk to her doctor if you're still concerned, but he'll tell you the same exact thing.
@foxygirle (376)
• Philippines
15 Oct 07
actually her father is her doctor. He is also concern about her eating habits. Sometimes we quarrel when my daughter doesnt want to eat.
My daughter doesnt get hungry easily. She is also an active kid, but then when it comes to food she is not the eating type unlike other kids. It just worries me sometimes because I see other children and they eat and are big. I dont want my daughter to be fat also just want her to be at the right height.
SOmetimes looking back, I know i was also a hard to feed child when i was small. I just hope i can improve her diet.
Thanks for your views.
@roniroxas (10560)
• Philippines
15 Oct 07
does she has any favorite food? i have four kids and now they are all teens maybe i can help you, but first i need to know what is her favorite food?
@foxygirle (376)
• Philippines
15 Oct 07
no, she does not have favorite food. I wish she does.
She used to like spagetti, but now, she only eats them on parties. She will eat fried chicken on some days, like once a week.
She used to love cheese and bread, now we have to tease her to eat this.
I tried almost anything, soups,noodles,pastas,rice,etc. Having hard time thinking on new food to feed her.
Thanks for your help, really appreciate it.
@Muttnboofer (154)
• United States
16 Oct 07
You said that her father is her Dr. and he says that she is healthy. If she is otherwise healthy and energetic (which she seems to be if she's active) then don't worry about it. My husband has been working towards his degree to become a dietitian and has been working as a chef for some time. He has also been working on an article for a school thing that covers this subject. Here are some simple things to remember when dealing with picky eaters.
1) Little kids tend to have smaller stomachs so may not eat as much as you may think. Try small snacks throughout the day instead of 2-3 large meals.
2) Little kids tend to have more sensitive taste buds and senses of smell than adults do.It's part how they explore the world around them for the first few years in fact.What tastes good to you may be way too strong for them. Let them help pick out foods at the grocery store and prepare/season their own food.
3) Don't make a big deal out of eating as it can become a power struggle...especially during the stages of development when kids are looking for ways to control their environment.
4) Have fun with food...and make sure they do too. Most kids are more willing to try eating something that they've made or that is fun to play with while they're eating it. Go to a website such as Spatullata.com to let your child see other kids making kid friendly recipes and then try some herself. You can also go to Kraft.com or similar sites for family and kid friendly recipes to try. When making school lunches think about adding things that are fun to eat. For instance, cut an apple into a 3-d puzzle and cut out the core. Replace the core with a special treat for your child and let her "open" the puzzle to find the surprise inside.Try making a game of taste testing foods. Blind fold your child and have them taste foods you know they like along with new ones and ones they say they hate. See what they decide on after that (hehe...I was a picky eater and had decided I hated pickles because all of my friends did...this game changed that).
5) If the child is healthy and active they are probably getting all the nutrition they need.Many parents worry that their child is a picky eater when the truth is that they are getting all the nutrition they need. If a child seems lethargic (dragging or sleepy) or is having constant health problems then it may be a good idea to consult a nutritionist or dietitian who has dealt with children before. Otherwise don't worry about it and enjoy your food.
6) Most kids will imitate their parents to some degree. If their parents like certain types of foods then they are more likely to at least try those before trying something that's unknown.
This is all I can remember off the top of my head. Hope this helps though...As long as she's healthy I really wouldn't worry about it.Oh, and my husband tells me to tell you to quit giving her vitamins. As long as she's healthy without them then she's getting the nutrition she needs. In adults this would just mean that the vitamin supplement would pass straight through. In a child it could lead to possible overdose of some vitamins and minerals (iron is the most common type of mineral poisoning in small children).
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
15 Oct 07
Hi foxygirle, all my kids were picky and all you can do is offer her a well balanced meal. My oldest who would only eat hamburgers from McDonalds for the longest time, now is a good eater and the only thing she really doesn't like are onions.
So, just keep offering the food, and if you are really concerned, ask her Doctor and see what he/she says..
