Eat Your Greens

In the meantime…what’s a parent to do?
We know all about the healthy foods that our beloved off-spring should eat, reciting the ‘five a day’ rule as if it were a mantra, but getting anything other than pizza and chips past their lips is something of a miracle. A recent independent survey conducted by children’s vitamin manufacturer, Haliborange, discovered that two out of three children go through a stage of refusing to eat certain foods, and 65% of under tens refuse fresh fruit and vegetables. Brussels sprouts, cabbage and tomatoes came top of the most hated vegetables list.

Dr David Lewis, a psychologist who analysed the results of the survey advises parents to stop worrying – ‘What seems like a food fad may simply be a part of growing-up, which is why they are so common during the ‘terrible twos’ and the early teenage years. Remember that tastes are highly individual and often take time to acquire. Keep in mind too that appetites change with age.’

What causes food fads?
Dr David Lewis identifies six main food fads that young children might experience:

Anger fads
By rejecting food the parents have worked hard to prepare, a small child could be expressing anger or resentment he or she cannot put into words. Look out for sulking, tantrums or tearfulness.
Solution - Identify and remove the cause of the emotional distress.

Independence fads
Refusing to eat certain foods, especially those the parent wants them to eat, makes a small child feel independent and grown up. This is very common between the ages of five and six.
Solution – don’t make a big deal of the fad and allow the child to find other ways they can exercise control in their lives; for example’ by choosing clothes or activities.

Copycat fads
This is common in younger siblings who copy their older brothers and sisters.Solution – stay relaxed and neutral. They quickly pass.