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Toddlers That Just Won't Eat
Handling Picky Eaters, Light Eaters and Appetite Slumps
By Jacqueline Bodnar
The decrease in appetite that happens during toddlerhood is normal. According to the University of Michigan Health System, there is an appetite slump that happens between 1 and 5 years old. They explain that this happens because children are growing at a much slower rate during that period and simply don't need as many calories per day. Rather, they eat what their brain signals to them that they need in order to meet their nutritional and energy needs.
Many parents can relate to the possibility that a child will have a huge appetite one day and then, for the next two days, eat like a bird. This is considered "tanking up." "It's when they fill their 'gas tank' and go for periods of time without eating as much," Beseler says.
Another common toddler eating situation is a food jag, when he or she insist on eating the same thing over and over. Food jags are normal for young children and are usually temporary. The important thing is not to allow the child to just eat that one food. If parents let the situation continue, they could run into problems when the child no longer wants that particular food. For example, if all she wants is macaroni and cheese, tell her that today she has to have something else, and tomorrow she can have that meal.
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding picky toddlers. While we can't make them eat, we can take steps to make the process a little easier to take.
- Nutrients. Be cautious about what you give them to eat. If your toddler is going through a period of not wanting to eat vegetables, try to gie him a fruit that contains the same type of nutrients. And add shredded vegetables to dishes that will make them less noticeable. Not all foods are created equal, so try to get the most bang for the buck when it comes to assuring that what he does eat throughout the day is healthy.