Answer:

When a child eats too little or too much, it can be very frustrating for the parents. Per Ellyn Satter M.S., R.D., an expert in children's nutrition, she recommends the following:

• Assess the situation. Is your child growing at a normal rate? If your child is growing at a normal rate for him, even if it is slower, it doesn't always indicate a problem.
• Your child may not need a lot of food at this stage.
• Assess your child's eating habits. Are they filling up between meals on high calorie juices or junk food? (However, it is important to offer nutritious snacks in between meals because they aren't generally able to eat a lot at regular meal times.)
• Are your meal times pleasant? Avoid scolding your children at mealtimes, or trying to control their food intake with bribes, threats, etc. This will create a poor relationship with your child and food.
• Keep offering a wide variety of foods to your child. Allow your child to decide what and how much to eat. Children have small stomachs and know how much they need!
• Offer easy to chew and swallow foods
• Are you cooking too low in fat? Preparing heart healthy meals is important, but not as important as creating a healthy relationship between your child and food.

You are probably right. Your son is going through a phase. So, it is important to keep offering a wide variety of foods that look appetizing to your son. Eventually he will want more food, when he needs it. Going out of your way to prepare or get special foods is not necessary. Keep offering the same foods you and your husband are eating. Otherwise, you are setting up a precedent that your son controls the meal times. Toddlers need parents to set boundaries. You provide the foods, and your child decides what and how much to eat of the foods offered.

Of course, if his weight gain and growth seem interrupted by his disinterest in food, then you need to take him to his physician. Otherwise, be patient and supportive, and the problem will take care of itself.

Expert Q & A Top : Fitness and Diet : How do we meet our toddler's nutritional needs when he's so picky? by Allison Gamble Nutritionist/Diet Technician Highland Park Hospital, Illinois Question: