Do you have a picky eater at home? You're not alone. Mealtimes can be a struggle when your child refuses to eat certain foods, but fear not! With the right approach and a dash of creativity, you can turn mealtime battles into a fun and enjoyable experience for both you and your fussy eater.

One tool that has proven to be a game-changer for many parents is the Munchy Play - an award winning kids' plate featuring a built-in track. Designed by a mum to make mealtimes more appealing to kids and encourage them to try new things. In this article, we'll explore some top tips for dealing with fussy eaters, with a focus on incorporating your Munchy Play plate into your mealtime routine.

Fussy Eating in Children - Top Tips to Help

Present Food in an Appealing Way

One of the keys to enticing fussy eaters lies in food presentation. Children often judge food based on its appearance, and that's where Munchy Play plates come in. With the colourful and engaging designs and ability to bring their favourite toys to the table, with the Hot Wheels and Thomas & Friends tableware, it helps to capture children's imaginations and make mealtime more enjoyable. Recent research from parents found that 97% of parents said that Munchy Play plates make mealtimes more enjoyable for toddlers.

Perserverence is Key

Introducing new foods in small ways is a good way to ease your picky eater child into new foods. Allow your child time to explore the new food and get used to it being on their toddler pick plate. Be prepared that it may take up to 10-20 exposures before a child will try that food, so keep coming back to it.

Choose Delicious Nutritious Recipes

Having a variety of delicious and healthy recipes available is a great way to overcome the challenges of fussy eating. Today there are numerous cooking books, apps and inspiring parents to follow on social media for plenty of inspiration. When it comes to cooking for your toddler, try and introduce new flavours and textures so you gradually expand their palette.

Encourage Exploration and Variety

Kids are more likely to try new foods when they are involved in the process. Take your little one grocery shopping and let them pick out a new fruit or vegetable to try. Back at home, involve them in meal preparation by letting them wash, peel, or even chop ingredients (under supervision, of course). When they see the transformation of raw ingredients into a delicious meal, they'll be more inclined to give it a taste.

Make Food Fun with Creative Shapes and Designs

With the help of Munchy Play, you can turn ordinary mealtimes into an experience to enjoy. Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, fruits, or vegetables into fun and appealing forms. Create smiley faces, animals, or even their favourite characters. When food looks exciting, children are more likely to get it a go, so don't hold back on your creativity.

Keep Trying, but Don't Force It

It's important to remember that fussy eating is often a phase that many children go through. Be patient and persistent, but avoid turning mealtimes into a battleground. Offer a variety of foods, including ones your child has rejected in the past, but don't force them to eat. Keep exposing them to new flavours and textures, and let them explore at their own pace. Over time, their tastes may change, and they might surprise you by trying foods they previously disliked.

Choose Popular Kids' Plates

If you have a picky eater it's worth asking around to see what other parents do as well. If you're looking at kids' plates or other items, be sure to check the reviews and see how often they've been in the press, to help you make an informed decision. For instnce, Munchy Play plates have been featured everywhere from the BBC to The Irish Times.

Recognise Good Behaviour

As with all picky eating behaviour, it’s advised to praise (and focus on) good behaviours. For instance, if your toddler only eats chicken nuggets, perhaps acknowledge that they are sitting nicely. When disruptive behavior starts, Healthline suggests talking about food colours, texture and taste may help “capture their attention”

Eat as a family

While there are no quick solutions to ‘picky eater’ child behaviour, research suggests that eating as a family is a good way to form positive habits.
 
Since children learn through observation, parents and other family members can act as positive role models.
 
There’s some evidence behind this too. Young children have been found to accept food more readily, when in the company of others eating the same type of food. Plus, it has been found to strengthen family bonds.
 
But perhaps most important of all, eating as a family can encourage adopting a healthier diet. A survey of 2,000 children (aged 9-14 years old) found that those who ate dinner as a family, more frequently ate more fruit and vegetables and food with higher nutrients. At the same time, they consumed less fried foods and fizzy drinks.
 
But with busy schedules it’s not always possible to eat together all the time. If this is the case, then aim to sit down as a family one day a week, perhaps at the weekend when everyone is together. 

Sneak in Vegetables

One of the biggest mealtime concerns parents have, is getting their kids to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. This can be especially challenging when you’re trying to come up with inspiring ‘fussy eater’ meals. However, there are a few smart ways to sneak vegetables into dishes.
 
Think about your child’s favourite dishes and how you can add to them. For instance, at breakfast, porridge laced with sliced strawberries, sliced blueberries and raisins can provide a healthy start to the day. Pitta bread is ideal for adding plenty of vegetable toppings on, including; mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and sweetcorn.
 
If your child likes smoothies, then these are a great way to blend up a variety of fruits, such as; bananas, oranges and strawberries and serve them in an appetising way. You can even sneak in carrots and avocados when they’re not looking!
 
There’s also tons of great kid’s food recipes to make from scratch, that are easy to sneak vegetables in to. These include beef patties with sneaky veggies chopped in, or turkey and vegetable meatballs, always a hit with little ones

Final thought

In conclusion, dealing with a fussy eater can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress. By implementing these top tips and incorporating the use of Munchy Play into your mealtimes, you can create a positive and enjoyable environment that encourages your child to try new foods. Remember, patience, creativity, and a sprinkle of fun are the key ingredients to conquering picky eating. So, why wait? Start your journey to happier mealtimes today and see the positive impact it has on your family.