Picky Parents Eat Food Children Pieces Feeding Eater

Many "toddlers" (children ages 1-2) and "preschoolers" (children ages 3-4) are picky eaters. Some eat food only of a certain color, while others "refuse" (won't do) to eat food that touches other types of food. Parents who are worried about whether their children are getting the "nutrition" (combination of calories, fat, proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc.) they need have found many ways to "cope with" (work around a problem) picky eaters.

Most young children like "dips" (thick sauces that the tips of food can be placed in before eaten), so parents can "encourage" (help something to happen) them to eat more fruits and vegetables by giving them dips. Many picky eaters are more likely to eat carrots, celery, and broccoli if they can dip "bite-sized" (cut into a size that can be placed in one's mouth) pieces into "Ranch dressing" (a creamy white salad dressing) or "hummus" (a spread made from garbanzo beans, olive oil, and sesame seeds). Apple slices and other pieces of fruit can be dipped into yogurt or honey. And small pieces of meat and potatoes can be dipped into sour cream, mustard, or ketchup.

Other parents try to "trick" (make someone believe something that isn't true) their children by "disguising" food, making it appear to be something else. For example, some books teach parents how to "hide" (not let something be seen) spinach "purees" (food that has been put in a blender so it appears to be a thick liquid) in "brownies" (a chocolate dessert). Parents can also put green or red peppers, broccoli, and other vegetables in a blender with tomato sauce and then use the "vitamin-packed" (with a lot of vitamins) tomato sauce to serve "kid-friendly" (liked by children) foods like pizza and spaghetti.