Avoid mealtime meltdowns: 3 tips for dealing with fussy eaters

Every parent has a story – 24 Apr 24 By Fiona Wright

Help transform your toddler’s eating habits with a new podcast from Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler.

Do you negotiate with a tiny terror every mealtime, scraping food from walls and floors, only to be met with rigorous head shaking?

Believe us when we say, you are not alone. For children between the ages of 18 months and five years of age, turned-up noses and mealtime standoffs can become a common occurrence at dinner time.

As a result, many parents start to feel defeated when their once-adventurous, great little eater starts waving off familiar foods with a firm “no”.

To help tackle the frustrating issue of fussy eating, accredited practicing paediatric dietitian Marianne Tomlin has shared her wealth of knowledge on the Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler parenting podcast, Every Parent Has a Story to Tell.

3 expert tips for dealing with fussy eaters

Picky eating, especially among toddlers and preschoolers, is a challenge that many families navigate at some point. The good news is there are stress-free strategies you can put in place to help encourage your child to eat a healthy variety of food.

Speaking to Every Parent Has a Story to Tell podcast hosts, Julie Snook and Carla Bignasca, in the episode, Tempting fussy eaters, accredited practicing dietitian, Marianne Tomlin says the goal for parents dealing with a picky eater is to create a calm and fun eating environment for your child where they will be happy to try new foods.

Want to know how to make the conditions perfect for your fussy eater? Read on…

Eating with your child helps model behaviour and makes their meal time more social. *(Image: Getty)*

Tip #1 Eat with your child

Marianne’s number one piece of advice for parents of a picky eater is simple but effective when it comes to encouraging them to eat a variety of foods.

“Eat with your child, it’s so important,” she says. “Even if it’s a small amount and you’re going to have your main meal afterwards, eat with your child.”

Tip #2 Involve your fussy eater in mealtime prep

There are loads of things you can do to make kids part of the mealtime process rather than simply placing a plate in front of them and expecting them to eat whatever is served.

“It can be washing the vegetables, it could be getting the food out of the fridge or taking them food shopping with you,” Marianne tells podcast co-hosts Julie Snook and Carla Bignasca.

“These are all important ways to expose your child to a range of foods.”

Kids are more likely to eat something they have helped prepare. (Image: Getty)

Tip #3 Have fun!

When children find mealtime fun, it promotes a positive relationship with food and encourages healthy eating habits, so Marianne’s third tip is, you guessed it, to have fun.

“We do not need to sit in silence at mealtimes. Have an indoor teddy bear picnic or take dinner outside, just change the environment and put some fun in there,” encourages Marianne.

The same foods on repeat may increase the chance of it being rejected. *(Image: Getty)*

Additional nutritional support for fussy eaters

Along with Marianne’s tips, You might also consider talking to your health care professional about a nutrient dense milk drink such as AptaGrow, which provides 1/3 of the recommended dietary intake for key nutrients* in just 1 serve a day and is designed not to spoil their appetite * *Based on the NHMRC Nutrient Reference Values; key nutrients including iron, zinc & vitamin D.

AptaGrow is a Food for Special Medical Purposes. Must be used under medical supervision. Not suitable as a sole source of nutrition, designed to be consumed in conjunction with a healthy varied diet.

To learn more Marianne Tomlin’s tips in detail, listen to Every Parent Has a Story to Tell’s full episode, Tempting Fussy Eaters.

The above is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns about your toddler’s diet, health or nutrient intake, please speak to a medical professional.

This episode of Every Parent Has a Story to Tell is brought to you by Bounty Parents and Aptamil Toddler. Every Parent Has a Story to Tell is a new podcast series that aims to get intel and experience for parents of all walks of life. We’ll cover all the important issues highs, lows and everything in between with some well-known and everyday Aussie mums and dads hosted by media personalities and real life mums, Julie Snook and Carla Bignasca, who will share, learn and discover from our unique but shared journeys. So what’s your story? Every parent has one.

Every Parent Has a Story to Tell podcast episodes:

Tempting fussy eaters, with accredited practising paediatric dietitian Marianne Tomlin
Cracking the co-parenting code, with real-life mums Elise and Alicia
Building toddler immunity, with accredited practising paediatric dietitian Marianne Tomlin
Making modern parenting work, with Kevin and Bob (Gogglebox)
Jana Pittman’s gloriously unconventional family

This is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional.

Brought to you by Aptamil Toddler