meal times Archives - Deep In Diapers

Getting a toddler to eat anything other than fruit snacks and pizza can be challenging. And to be honest, if I were to choose what I got to eat, I’d rather eat those things too. We know a diet full of chocolate and twinkies isn’t the best option for our kids, so how do we help our kids to develop healthy eating habits while they’re young?

I’ve been able to get both of my kids to eat lots of fruits and veggies each meal, but I’ve had to be a little sneaky in how I did it. Here’s how I’ve managed to get both of my kids to eat healthy food.

Veggies First

I started giving my kids a helping of veggies first. For example, if I’m prepping food in the kitchen, I’ll let my one-year-old try food while we’re cooking. A lot of the time, she’s hungry and I’ve gotten her to eat lots of broccoli and green beans when it’s treated like a special snack.

Yesterday, she was my kitchen helper and I set the family’s bowl of green beans on the floor and told her she could try a couple of them while I was finishing the rest of dinner. When I turned around a few minutes later, she had eaten all but three of the entire bowl of green beans. Even though I had to make more veggies for the rest of us to eat, I wasn’t that mad…my kid had just devoured a whole bowl of green beans!

Also, I’ve also been successful by giving my kids a helping of veggies on their plate first. I put a few veggies and a small helping of a food they really like, like mac and cheese. For them to get another helping of mac and cheese they have to eat a bite or two of the veggies first.

Limit Snacks

I’ve noticed that when we are at a family gathering like Christmas and I’ve let my kids snack all day that they’re far less likely to eat healthy foods. When they snack, they’re not as hungry so they don’t eat much at meal times. I’ve found that limiting snacks to a few times a day has been helpful in developing good eaters.

They choose when they’re full

I don’t require my kids to finish everything on their plates as I think this encourages overeating. I feel my kids know when they’re full and I trust them to stop when they’re ready.

However, if my child asks to be excused from the table after eating one or two bites, I inform that child they won’t get another chance to eat until the next meal. That way, they don’t come back to me in two minutes and tell me they’re starving.

Read: 3 Proven Phrases to Prevent Mealtime Battles

Get Sneaky – Think Outside of The Box

In our house, veggies get snuck into food in lots of ways. Zucchini gets added to meatloaf or cauliflower to our Mac n Cheese. I also have noticed that if it’s on mom’s plate it just looks better to my kids. Many times I’ll give myself an extra helping of salad and let my kids try a bit of mommy’s food. Usually, they’re overjoyed to try some of my food and I get them to try new foods that way.

I’ve tried lots of things, when my one-year-old was just starting on solids she wouldn’t touch broccoli. I knew she loved bread, so I’d roll a small piece of broccoli in some bread and got her to eat her broccoli that way. I’ve also bought applesauce that has carrots or veggies mixed in.

As a mom, it’s no doubt that it’s hard to get your kids to eat veggies. I’d rather eat ice cream for lunch too. But I’ve found that kids will eat lots of veggies if you work with them.

What are some creative ways you’ve found to get your kids to eat their veggies?

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Is mealtime often filled with fits, temper tantrums, and battles as you try to get your kids to come to the table?

If so, you’re not alone. In my house, getting my kids to the table to eat can be a chore. Our mealtime battle often plays out like this: My toddler tells me how hungry he is. A few minutes later when dinner is ready, he proceeds to throw a fit when I ask him to come to the table. By this time, he’s gotten engrossed in a toy so when I call him to eat he says, “I’m not hungry”. As the parent, I know my kids need to eat. So how do you get your kids to the table without losing your cool?

Through a lot of trial and error, I’ve discovered three phrases that have helped curb mealtime battles.

“You need to come sit at the table, but you don’t have to eat.”

This phrase has been a game changer at my house. When it’s dinner time my kids are asked to come to the table. I tell them they do not have to eat. What they are asked to do is come and sit down. This has been powerful because my children realize they can’t play anymore. When the option to play is removed, they often end up eating something since they’re already at the table.

“Eat or go hungry”

I can’t tell you how many times my child has said during mealtimes, “I don’t like it, I don’t want it, I want something else.” I gently tell my child that what they’re saying is not kind. Mommy or daddy worked hard so they could have nice food to eat. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it. However, they will not get another meal.

Our rule is that they can sit at the table with us and either eat or not eat. If they choose to not eat, they will not get another food option. When the rules are explained, my child will often eat some of the food that was prepared. When the choice is to go hungry or eat what’s on the table, my kids usually choose to eat what’s there.

“To sit at the table, you need to choose to be happy”

In our house, in order to sit at the table, you need to choose to be happy. I don’t enjoy a meal with a screaming child. If my child chooses to scream or throw a fit at the table, I get up and move them or their chair into another room. I tell the child they can come back when they’re happy. It’s amazing how simply removing the child will often curb the bad behavior. My kids want to be where the action is, so when I remove them, the incentive is high for them to want to come back to the table and be happy.

These phrases have helped me curb a lot of mealtime battles. What are some strategies you’ve found helpful during mealtime?

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