Kiddipedia
Tips from Oliver’s Dietitian Natalie Sharpe
There is always a certain period where kids can tend to be fussy when it comes to eating. No matter where you go or the different cuisines you try, it can be challenging to find the right place where you can provide your children with healthy meals yet still tasting delicious.
Oliver’s Real Food Dietitian Natalie Sharpe shares her tips on how to tackle your little fussy eaters with simple meals that not only your kids can enjoy but the entire family too!
- Offer variety – Each food group offers a unique nutrient profile. To ensure your child is getting a balance of key nutrients, offer them something that incorporates each food group in one meal. If your child won’t eat one item from a particular food group, try alternative foods from the same food group to ensure they are still getting the key health benefits. For example, if your child won’t eat yoghurt, try cheese or milk.
- Make food fun – Add plenty of colour, use fun names, or cut food into interesting shapes. Creating characters and stories with food can make the experience of trying new ingredients less overwhelming, and more fun and exciting.
- What your kids see you eat will encourage them to eat it – Eating healthy food and having healthy behaviours encourages your child to do so too. Having a positive attitude towards healthy food can also help your child feel confident about trying new nourishing ingredients. Since Oliver’s launched their new kid’s menu, the Oliver’s plant-based Oli Burger comes not only in a junior size but also an adult size too. This is a great opportunity to model healthy eating and encourage your little ones to try something new.
- Work together with your kids – Introducing new foods into your child’s diet is important to encourage variety and added nutrients. Introduce a new food alongside foods they already love since children are more inclined to try something new when coupled with something familiar. For example, the Oliver’s kids breakfast bun combines protein – rich egg and calcium – rich cheese. It is a great way to introduce them to avocado which is included and is packed with vitamins and minerals.
- Persistence is key – If your child won’t eat something the first time this doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t like it. A child may need to be exposed to a food 10+ times before they will eat it. Try presenting a new food in several different ways to see if their interest changes. For example, try serving the new food as a different texture (mashed, baked, steamed), serving it in a fun way or adding it to a mixed dish.
