When it comes to picky eaters, it's a pain in the neck for many parents.
Especially for a foodie like me, I just can't understand why my child won't eat anything and everything.
Misconception 1: If a child doesn't like a certain food, he or she is a picky eater
Many parents think that if a child doesn't like a certain food that we think is nutritious, then they are picky eaters.
For example, not liking carrots, not liking eggs, not liking spinach ......
In fact, a true picky eater is a child who doesn't like a large group of foods.
A child who does not like spinach but eats other leafy greens is not a picky eater.
A child who doesn't like all green vegetables is a picky eater.
Therefore, it is okay for children to dislike only a few foods, as long as they eat the major categories of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and trace elements at the nutrient level.
Misconception 2: Not liking certain foods makes you malnourished
Just because a child does not like certain foods does not mean that he or she is malnourished, has reduced resistance or is in poor health.
Even good food is not irreplaceable, and the nutrients it contains can be replenished through other foods.
For example, if you don't like eggs, then you can eat goose and duck eggs, there is no big difference in nutrients. Children are not malnourished simply because they do not eat eggs.
What is more important is the psychological problems this causes.
By forcing our children to eat what they don't like before they can eat what they do like, we are implicitly labelling food as 'good' and 'bad'.At this time, we can use cute baby silicone tableware, let the baby fall in love with their own tableware, and at the same time fall in love with eating.
The child has to make choices against his or her will, which in the long run may lead to selective disorders, which can have a negative impact on his or her psychological development and character development.
Misconception 3: Nutritious food should be eaten more often
If eggs are nutritious, you have to eat N eggs a day, or if carrots are a vitamin supplement, you want your child to eat like a rabbit. ...... These behaviours are really not acceptable.
You should know that even good food is not all-powerful, and it is impossible to meet all the nutrient needs of your child's growth and development on its own.
If you want your child to grow well, you must eat a variety of foods that are nutritionally balanced and involve all 6 major nutrients.
True nutrition is not about eating more of certain foods, but eating wisely.
Misconception 4: Nutrient supplementation is the best thing to do
As parents, we are always anxious about our children, so when our children don't like certain nutritious foods, our first thought is: why don't we take some supplements? The more the merrier!
There is no need to take nutrients indiscriminately, and there is no such thing as too much of them.
As long as your child's growth curve is normal, it's okay if he or she doesn't like certain foods.
Unless your child is a really picky eater, doesn't eat any of the major food groups or is allergic to them, and has an abnormal growth curve, then you should take supplements as prescribed by your doctor.
What are the reasons why babies are picky eaters?
1. Long-term monotonous diet
There are two types of food: one is a food that has been consumed for a long time and has become boring, leading to a dislike of it.
The second is that they are used to the food they have been eating for a long time, which leads to the rejection of certain new foods with different tastes.
2. Influenced by partial eating in the family
Parental partiality can sometimes affect babies too, so parents should set an example by not being paranoid.
3.Incompatibility with some foods
For example, if your baby has eaten improperly preserved food, or if he or she has been sick and has eaten unsuitable greasy food, he or she may have developed a fixed partiality.
4.Love of snacking
Firstly, if your baby eats too many snacks, it will affect his appetite and over time he will develop a partial diet; secondly, many snacks are processed foods, which will make your baby's taste heavy and less likely to accept vegetables or other lighter tasting meals.
