In case you were wondering (and yes, seek confirmation from any parent who has been there), the “terrible twos” are not a myth or the stuff of legends. They are very real, and this time is full of blue-faced tantrums, baby food splatter, incoherent babbling, and of course, almost daily hunger strikes.
And while many onlookers that are outside of the parenting bubble might ask: “What’s the big deal? It’s just food. Give them food. If they’re hungry, they’ll eat!” — they really don’t understand.Have you ever met a hangry two year old? Truthfully, a toddler with a tummy full of nothing is usually more vengeful and full of vitriol than Chef Gordon Ramsay on the worst day of his life. That being said, dealing with a picky eater toddler while dealing with the terrible twos are a lethal combination, indeed.
So what’s a parent to do? How do you go about dealing with terrible twos while finding foods for picky toddlers that they will actually eat? Luckily, finding healthy foods for picky kids and finding methods to effectively get them to eat them are out there. All it takes is a little time, patience, and know-how.
Teach Your Kids to Cook
The best way to find edible healthy foods for picky kids is by getting them involved in the kitchen. If your child is too young to actively cook, that doesn’t mean they can’t measure out rice, mix the batter, or pick the stems off of strawberries. Giving them the chef’s spoon will empower them to actively make their own healthy food choices, setting them up for a lifelong healthy relationship with healthy food.
Keep a Routine
Have set mealtimes and snacktimes that are relatively consistent on the day-to-day. This establishment of routine will help your child become more open to eating set meals.
Let Your Kid Get Tactical
Food is just not about taste. It’s about texture, color, sight, and smell. When introducing a new food to your child, let them get familiar with all aspects of it. This way, they will be exploring it and will be able to get a sense of comfort and familiarity with their meal.
