It’s no surprise that your kid gets fussy during mealtime. Making children finish their meals is a tough task on many days. The more they are picky, the more difficult it is for parents. After all, it is the parent's duty to ensure that their kids intake the proper amount of nutrients for healthy growth. However, no parent can’t force their kids to finish their meals. Inculcating healthy eating habits is a process that takes time and tricks. But, what are those tips and tricks?
Here are some of them to help you encourage your kids to finish their meals quickly. Good luck!
- Mealtime video by Pokochan - The most effective way to make little kids finish the entire meal is to show them the mealtime video by Pokochan. His cute musical video is full of healthy fruits and veggies, and just right for your little one. The video engages the kids and makes them familiar with the shapes and colours of fruits and veggies. Hence, it eventually helps in inculcating healthy eating habits in children from the very beginning. .
- Make mealtime a family experience - Mealtime is one of the most special times of the day as it helps in fostering the bond between the baby and caregiver. So, it is advisable to make mealtime a family affair. The whole family, including kids and the family's elders, should sit at one place and enjoy the meal together. It helps them finish their meals and feel that they are not left to eat alone.
- Let them be your assistant in cooking - Children readily eat what they see getting prepared from their eyes. Engage your kids while preparing the meals or at the time of serving. Take them to the grocery store, let them pick the vegetables and then see how excited they will be while eating their portion of the meal.
- Mix 2 spoons of creativity in the meal - Cook different vegetables every day and uniquely serve them. Use colourful plates and serve food in different shapes. Make a heart or smiley, it generates a curiosity in them to explore the taste and texture. Try this simple tip, they will surely love it and finish the meal quickly.
- Never step back in appreciating them - Childhood is the age when they desire attention the most. So, whenever they finish their meals or ask you to give them something to eat, always cheer for them. Say ‘good baby’ or ‘well done' to motivate them for next time.
- Let them imitate you - Babies are copycats. Aren't they? Children follow the eating patterns of their parents. If they see you eating healthy, they will copy you and eventually eat healthily.
- Consistency and patience is the key - Inculcating healthy eating habits in kids is not an overnight process. Take tiny steps daily and make mealtime an important part of kids’ lifestyle.
- According to the experts, healthy eating habits developed at an early stage remain till adulthood. So, start offering your kids healthy food from today using the simple tips shared above.
FAQ's
Q. Why do kids become fussy during mealtime?
Ans.Children often get fussy during mealtime because they are easily distracted, dislike certain tastes or textures, or simply want to assert independence. Parents should approach this phase with patience and creativity, using fun activities, positive reinforcement, and engaging mealtime experiences to encourage healthy eating habits.
Q. How can I encourage my child to finish their meals?
Ans.Encouraging kids to finish meals requires consistency, creativity, and patience. Involve them in cooking, serve food in fun shapes, and appreciate them when they eat well. Family meals, playful interactions, and videos like Pokochan’s mealtime songs also make the process more engaging and enjoyable for children.
Q. Does watching videos like Pokochan’s help kids eat better?
Ans.Yes, engaging videos like Pokochan’s mealtime songs capture children’s attention with music, fruits, and veggies. They make food appear fun and colorful, helping kids relate positively to meals. Such visual stimulation encourages healthy eating habits, making it easier for kids to enjoy and finish their food.
Q. Why is making mealtime a family experience important?
Ans.When the entire family eats together, kids feel included and encouraged. It creates a sense of belonging, reduces mealtime stress, and motivates children to finish their meals. Eating together also allows parents to model healthy eating habits, which children naturally tend to imitate and adopt.
Q. How does involving kids in cooking help them eat better?
Ans.Kids love eating meals they’ve helped prepare. Involving them in grocery shopping, washing vegetables, or mixing ingredients makes them curious and excited about food. This sense of participation builds ownership and motivates them to try and enjoy the meals they contributed to making, reducing fussiness.
Q. Can creativity in serving food improve eating habits?
Ans.Absolutely! Kids are attracted to colors and shapes. Serving food in fun designs like smileys, stars, or hearts sparks curiosity and encourages them to taste and finish meals. Using colorful plates and trying new recipes keeps mealtime interesting, making children more open to eating healthy foods.
Q. How important is appreciation in encouraging kids to eat?
Ans.Appreciation plays a vital role in building positive eating habits. Praising children with words like “good job” or “well done” boosts their confidence and motivates them to repeat the behavior. Positive reinforcement makes mealtime enjoyable and encourages kids to eat without resistance or pressure from parents.
Q. Do kids really copy parents’ eating habits?
Ans.Yes, children are natural imitators and closely observe parents. If they see parents eating healthy foods, they are more likely to do the same. Modeling good eating habits sets the foundation for children to adopt balanced diets, making it easier to instill lifelong healthy eating patterns.
Q. How can parents stay patient with picky eaters?
Ans.Patience is essential because developing healthy eating habits takes time. Parents should avoid forcing meals and instead focus on small, consistent efforts. Offering variety, involving kids in cooking, and maintaining positive mealtime experiences gradually encourage children to enjoy their meals without creating resistance or stress.
Q. Do early eating habits affect adulthood?
Ans.Yes, experts confirm that healthy eating habits formed in childhood usually continue into adulthood. Introducing kids to fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals early helps them develop a positive relationship with food. These habits influence their long-term physical health, growth, immunity, and overall lifestyle choices as adults.
