Dietitian pinpoints mistake many parents make when kids refuse to eat
There are times it can seem impossible to try and get our children to do basic tasks like putting their shoes on or brushing their teeth. And for many parents, mealtimes can become a tense battleground.
Thankfully though, a dietitian recently shared her advice about tackling picky eaters. Veronica La Marca, who boasts an impressive 99,000 Instagram followers, urged mums and dads to stop making a mistake when their little ones say they're "done" with their food. Instead of coaxing them to get "more bites in", she recommends a more supportive approach.
She explained: "When we take over, kids miss the chance to stay connected to their own body cues." So rather than intervening, she recommended parents respond with, "It's okay to stop when you're done," explaining this approach "encourages independence and helps build body trust".
Instead of pressuring them to eat more, Veronica said: "Remind them when the next meal/snack will be", as this cultivates body trust and maintains structure.
In her caption, she followed up by saying: "I get it, you just want them to eat. But here's the thing: these common reactions create pressure (even if they're well-intended), and pressure usually leads to... less eating."
If you're in the habit of bribing children with dessert, this should be avoided too. The expert argued this reinforces the notion that "real food" becomes a chore whilst dessert represents the prize.
However, serving dessert alongside the main course can "reduce the pressure and helps neutralise all foods".
Snacking should also be discouraged as it "reinforces picky eating" and allows them to avoid what's on their plate. Instead, try cooking foods that your children are comfortable with and slowly introducing more options.
The expert argues this "keeps structure while making sure there's always something safe on the plate".
Other common mistakes include allowing screen time, which can dissuade kids from paying attention to their plates and eating mindfully.
She advocates for a "low-pressure table routine" with relaxed conversation, which fosters a bond between everyone at the table.
The informative post garnered more than 2,600 likes and plenty of positive comments.
Veronica's followers appreciated the advice, with one person commenting: "I've had to start gently reminding my 4 year old that if he's done, that's fine but there won't be more food until the next meal time. Otherwise he eats two bites then is asking for something else an hour later."
Another chimed in: "Something I've done with my grandkids that has helped is to leave their plate at the table, provided there are no food safety issues, and tell them they can always come back to it if they get hungry later- they almost always do and it gets finished. And we start with small servings, reminding them that they can always have more if they want."
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