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The Truth About Picky Eating& How to End the Picky Eating Problem By Your Next Grocery Run
I’ve read a lot of articles on picky eating. And they give great ideas. I love the IDEAS. But, unfortunately, they give terrible advice.
And I’m guilty of the same bad advice. As a health coach, I used to tell people all the tips and tricks to try. But as time went on, and I saw people going back into their old habits... and keep saying that their child was picky! So I started to take closer notes, to pay more attention to the subtleties of what was going, and to categorize these patterns into useful information to actually end picky eating. |
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Now I have the five most common TRUE reasons you say your child is a picky eater.
Because before smiley faces on the plate or eating with a toothpick will work to change your child’s picky habits, you need to recognize that the vast majority of parents who complain about their kids being “picky eaters” are using it as an excuse.
Ouch.
Because before smiley faces on the plate or eating with a toothpick will work to change your child’s picky habits, you need to recognize that the vast majority of parents who complain about their kids being “picky eaters” are using it as an excuse.
Ouch.
Harsh, but true.
I’d guess it’s as high as 9 out of 10 times. Not kidding.
(The remaining very small percentage are facing something like Sensory Processing Disorder, which can be approached with some of the following advice, but should also be assessed by your child’s doctor or occupational therapist. If you suspect your child has a medical condition always talk to your doctor first and foremost. Picky eating disorder, or neophobia, is not applied to children at this time, and is not yet categorized as true disorder even for adults.)
If you believe your child is “just” a picky kid, then I’d argue that this so-called picky eating is a symptom of a deeper problem.
Don't get me wrong, "just" picky eating is a challenging and difficult situation that can bring you to tears or wine by the gallon or both. I'm not saying it isn't hard to change. I'm just saying you have to go deeper than labelling it "picky" if you actually want to change it.
Lucky for you, I can break it down Barney style (as simple as the old dinosaur Barney show that you may have watched but your kids have never heard of) to name the most common issues at play with picky eaters.
(The remaining very small percentage are facing something like Sensory Processing Disorder, which can be approached with some of the following advice, but should also be assessed by your child’s doctor or occupational therapist. If you suspect your child has a medical condition always talk to your doctor first and foremost. Picky eating disorder, or neophobia, is not applied to children at this time, and is not yet categorized as true disorder even for adults.)
If you believe your child is “just” a picky kid, then I’d argue that this so-called picky eating is a symptom of a deeper problem.
Don't get me wrong, "just" picky eating is a challenging and difficult situation that can bring you to tears or wine by the gallon or both. I'm not saying it isn't hard to change. I'm just saying you have to go deeper than labelling it "picky" if you actually want to change it.
Lucky for you, I can break it down Barney style (as simple as the old dinosaur Barney show that you may have watched but your kids have never heard of) to name the most common issues at play with picky eaters.
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Before I give you the five most common issues that are actually at the root of picky eating behavior, I want to just tell you that my message here is tough love.
It might make you cringe or balk to hear what I’m going to say. Take that as a sign that one of these is actually true for you.
I’m not writing it out this way to judge or condemn. I TOTALLY GET IT that habits are hard to change and family dynamics are complicated. I validate every single feeling that changing your child’s picky habits feels overwhelming and impossible.
And yet I’ve done it. I’ve helped other moms do it. And I know you can, too. IF you are ready and willing to open up to the deeper issue and work hard to enforce simple (but not necessarily easy) changes.
It might make you cringe or balk to hear what I’m going to say. Take that as a sign that one of these is actually true for you.
I’m not writing it out this way to judge or condemn. I TOTALLY GET IT that habits are hard to change and family dynamics are complicated. I validate every single feeling that changing your child’s picky habits feels overwhelming and impossible.
And yet I’ve done it. I’ve helped other moms do it. And I know you can, too. IF you are ready and willing to open up to the deeper issue and work hard to enforce simple (but not necessarily easy) changes.
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After you read this, I urge you to no longer simply say “He's so picky.” Because that is not the whole story. Instead I encourage you to say one of the following:
- My kid is picky and I don’t know which foods are unhealthy or what healthy foods I could switch to.
- My kid is picky and it’s not my priority to change it right now.
- My kid is picky and I don’t feel like putting in the effort required to change it.
- My kid is picky and I still need to set clear and appropriate boundaries and expectations at meal times.
- My kid is picky and I have engaged in an unfortunate power struggle that I can’t give up quite yet.
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I know, I know.
Some of those are pretty blunt.
It might make you uncomfortable or annoyed to read them…and if you are crying inside it definitely means you have some work to do. The good news is – you can do it! You’re the parent. You really are in charge.
I have a free tool to help you do just this: The Personalized Family Food Rules That End Complaining and Keep Everyone Happy.
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Now let’s dive a little deeper into the five most common issues that manifest themselves as “picky eating” and see if we can't help you get closer to the truth about your picky eater.
- My kid is picky and I don’t know which foods are unhealthy or what healthy foods I could switch to.
Lack of knowledge is the easiest to conquer. If your child is picky because your whole family eats too many “comfort” foods, then consider yourself lucky!
All you need to do is educate YOURSELF and then take that critical eye through your whole pantry. The Personalized Family Food Rules is the first step to assessing your Pantry and the habits that surround your kitchen.
Learning healthy meals for picky eaters, understanding what dinner ideas for picky eaters are healthy and what are not, and generally figuring out what healthy recipes for picky eaters work for YOU and your family can help get your toddler to eat a wider variety of healthy foods.
- My kid is picky and it’s not my priority to change it right now.
It is totally legit that dealing with food habits fall down in priority when you have other stuff going on like holidays, a big move, a job change, or a new baby.
So it's okay to know that picky eating and picky eaters will thrive in an environment where healthy dinners and meal plans are not your priority.
But that only lasts a time. After a while I have to call BS on it. If that's you, and you are ready to re-prioritize, then the Family Food Rules will make sure you lay the foundation to succeed!
- My kid is picky and I don’t feel like putting in the effort required to change it.
Not wanting to put the effort in to change a habit is understandable…but I’m gonna call you out on it none the less.
We are talking about health! I know you would do almost anything for your kids.
As a health coach, I have to argue that should include the hard work it takes to change a difficult to change habit. Whether it is improving those school lunch ideas, coming up with healthy dinner ideas that satisfy everyone in your family, or more along the lines of getting firm about the rules and expectations...
Get the Personalized Family Food Rules today and start that work today!
- My kid is picky and I still need to set clear and appropriate boundaries and expectations at meal times.
Sometimes setting boundaries is sneaky, because you might not even realize that this is actually where the problem lies. You may not actually realize that you have been telling your fussy eater that it's okay to follow the picky eater diet.
Luckily my Personalized Family Food Rules gives you just the tools to recognize this situation and begin to draw appropriate boundaries and clear expectations.
- My kid is picky and I have engaged in an unfortunate power struggle that I can’t give up quite yet.
If you are in a power struggle, I want to caution you end it ASAP.
Because everyone loses when you battle over food.
It might be scary to stop. Or you might not even realize you are in the biggest pissing contest of your life.
Either way, The Family Food Rules to End Complaining and Keep Everyone Happy will help you recognize this pattern and redefine it.
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There are all kinds of complicated factors that go into creating a happy kitchen. If you are facing a finicky eater who complains about or won’t eat the food you prepare or maybe won’t even sit down to eat… that’s frustrating. Really frustrating.
That’s picky eating, and it can drive even the most patient mama mad.
I understand because I also have a picky kid. But my picky kid eats cucumbers, bell peppers, and spinach a on regular basis. Do you know why my kid doesn’t eat Goldfish every day? Because I straight up do not buy Goldfish crackers.
The pickier your child is, the more discerning you have to be.
I have had to re-prioritize a lot of things in my life to make sure my child is growing up with the values I hold dear, including those that surround healthy food and nutrition. Goldfish are convenient. Healthy living is not necessarily convenient, but it is worth every effort to know my child will have healthy habits for the rest of his life.
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The best part of my Personalized Family Food Rules, and all of my programs, is that they are customized for you and your life, which means that as you cultivate healthier habits they become enjoyable parts of your daily life, not just another item on your to do list. It guides you to the best way for your family to deal with the picky eaters your family.
The Personalized Family Food Rules to End Complaining and Keep Everyone Happy is a powerful guide to get you started on the path to ending the dinnertime drama and helping your picky child become a healthy eater.
In this day and age of sodas, fast food, and epic amounts of junk, the time is NOW to start helping your young child learn to love healthy food.
The longer you wait, the harder it gets. Why? Many reasons.
The biggest reason is because the longer you child is accustomed to eating high sugar, high salt, or high fat foods, the more your child's body will expect and even crave those flavors.
You need to start clean eating for picky eaters TODAY.
Figure out how to get your kid to eat healthy food by subscribing.
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The second major concern is because the older your child gets, the less control you have over your child's diet. You want to establish strong habits of health while they are an preschool and elementary school, in order to serve them well when they become teenagers and eventually adults.
The Personalized Family Food Rules is designed to do just these things, and many more.
Address the deeper problems that surface themselves as picky eating, and help your child become a healthy eater.
If you follow the Personalized Family Food Rules today, you will begin to see changes before your next grocery run!
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I'm impressed you're still with me all the way to the bottom of the page! You are definitely ready for the challenge of turning your picky kids into healthy eaters!
So I'll let you in on a little secret. My 7 Day Challenge: Turn Your Picky Kids into Healthy Eaters is the complete version of the program that the Personalized Family Food Rules is excerpted from. You'll learn a little bit more about it when you sign up for the Personalized Family Food Rules. And the best part? When you sign up for the Personalized Family Food Rules you'll get a sneak peek at the way I operate... AND you'll get a discount code to grab the full 7 Day Challenge for a discount. |
The Picky Kids into Healthy Eaters Challenge is a 7-day e-course delivered to your inbox and includes:
Not currently available. Please find some healthy eating fundamentals for kids - No purchase necessary! Cut and past this link to find a variety of support tools and links to my books: www.alegraloewenstein.com/teaching-the-kids |
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The program includes two support calls to clarify any challenges, concerns, or obstacles. These support calls can make or break the goal of creating Healthy Eaters!
Plus you'll get access to more downloads like the Planning Guide and Surprise Bonuses. You can read ALL about that program here. But what are you waiting for? Sign up on THIS page today if you are ready to get started with your family food rules... Go ahead and buy the program if you cringe at ALL of those points up there and make sure you make the change your child needs. |
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