Tips for moms struggling with picky eaters

There are many reasons why kids become fussy about what they eat, but there are many things you can do to get your child to be less picky about what he eats. The most important thing is to try to make the eating process a happy, communal experience for them – not one that is stressful and unpleasant.  

Here are a few tips:

• Instead of having your child eat alone, make it a family mealtime where everyone is eating together.
• Encourage your child to drink healthy beverages between meals – not during a meal. That way, they’re not full when they have to eat.
• Instead of giving your child something to eat that he’s never had before, give him food from a familiar food type. For example, food from the pumpkin family, or melon family.
• Don’t trick your kids to eat – rather encourage them throughout the meal and celebrate the last bite.
• Avoid mindless grazing or snacking throughout the day. Organise a routine for healthy snacks and mealtimes to get your child’s mind and body ready for meals.
• Never force your child to eat if they are full. Their bodies need much smaller portions, often throughout the day, rather than one big meal.
• Dish up smaller portions of food, especially when introducing new foods.
• Encourage your child to help you in the kitchen. The process of preparing the meal will make them feel involved, and more likely to eat the meal at the end.

  Your picky eater won’t be able to refuse this healthy slushie Traffic Light Slushies Ingredients for the red part:

• 2 Laager Tea4Kidz Strawberry flavoured Rooibos teabags
• ½ cup strawberry juice
• 2 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup strawberry yoghurt

Ingredients for the orange part:

• 2 Laager Tea4Kidz Peach and Apricot flavoured Rooibos teabags
• ½ cup orange juice
• 2 cups frozen yellow fruits (mango, peach, pineapple, banana)
• 1 tablespoon honey

Ingredients for the green part:

• 2 Laager Tea4Kidz Apple & Berry flavoured Rooibos teabags
• ½ cup apple juice
• 2 cups frozen green fruits/vegetables (honeydew melon, green apples, cucumber)
• 2 spinach Leaves
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Fresh mint

Method:

• Make each colour up individually.
• Heat the juice in the microwave. Make a very strong tea by steeping the two teabags in the hot juice. Remove teabags and allow tea to cool completely
• Place frozen fruit, honey, and tea in a blender or food processor.
• Blend thoroughly, adding extra water if needed to blend.
• Add the slushies layer by layer to create a traffic light.
• Serve immediately.