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Annabel Karmel: How To Cope With A Fussy Eater
 Britain's favourite children's food writer, Annabel Karmel, is back with new title, The Fussy Eaters Recipe Book, targeting fussy eaters. Here she offers tips on how to make life easier for parents whose kids are fussy about food.
What's the fuss?
Anyone with children will know that when it comes to eating, fuss is often high on the menu. It's not surprising then that we can lose heart when our children turn their noses up at anything with green bits or visible onions But rest assured, you're not alone. In fact, 90% of children go through at least one lengthy stage of being fussy.
Try and make mealtimes a really positive experience. One of the most important things is to try and hide your frustration. Praise your child excessively when he eats well or tries something new. You may need to ignore some bad eating behaviour to refocus attention on good behaviour.
Should parents be worried?
Children's eating habits have changed dramatically in recent years. Worryingly, more than 25% of children in England are overweight and one in six ten year olds is classified as obese. According to a 2007 report four million people in the UK now suffer from malnutrition, as a direct result of eating junk food. It doesn't have to be like this for your children.
Practical tips for parents with fussy kids
 If your child refuses to eat anything other than junk food, chill out. He will soon find there’s not much point making a fuss if you don't react.
Avoid empty calorie snacks like crisps or soft drinks and keep a supply of healthy snacks on hand – maybe have a low shelf in the fridge with cut up fresh fruit and other healthy foods. When children are hungry, they won't wait.
Make your own healthy versions of fast food like burgers made from lean minced beef, sautéed red onion, thyme and tomato chutney or ice lollies made from fresh fruit
It's important to introduce as many foods as possible at an early age. You could try playing a game and blindfold your child before introducing a new food and ask him to guess what it is.
Without going to unnecessary lengths, try to make your child's food not only tastes good but looks good too. Make mini portions in ramekins, make chicken skewers or thread bite sized pieces of fruit onto a straw.
Most children adore cooking and tasks like squeezing fresh orange juice or cracking eggs are well within the capabilities of a young child. It's amazing how being involved in the planning and preparation of a meal can stimulate a child's appetite.
Children like to assemble their own food, so you could lay ingredients out in bowls and let your child fill and fold their own wraps or choose their favourite toppings for their home made pizzas.
If your child is underweight and not eating well they need as much energy (calories) as possible. Choose full fat dairy products like cheese, milkshakes or good quality ice-cream and avoid using 'low fat' dairy products.
Reward schemes like a sticker chart in the kitchen can work well. Make the chart yourself perhaps using pictures of his favourite things (tractors, Thomas The Tank Engine- whatever) to decorate it. Give your child a sticker for eating new foods. When he has collected a few stickers, reward him with a prize . The first one should be relatively easily attainable to incentivise him.
| 'Double bluff by leaving a few chunky veg in the sauce to pick out. He'll never suspect there are still some in there!' |
If children will not eat vegetables, create recipes that vegetables can be blended into such as a tomato and vegetable sauce for pasta or a creamy tomato soup made with carrots and onions. What children can't see, they can't pick out. You can double bluff by leaving a few chunky vegetables in the sauce for your child to pick out, then he'll never suspect there are still some in there!
Children tend to be starving after school, so this is a good time to give them the right kind of snack. Keep a low shelf in the fridge stocked with healthy foods such as cut up fruits and vegetables or simple snacks like pasta salads.
Try lots of styles of food from around the world. Quesadillas hot wraps filled with vegetables or chicken with melted cheese tend to be popular. Try also Yakitori Chicken, Teriyaki Salmon or Thai Style Chicken Curry. Offering only the meals you’re sure your child will eat encourages fussiness and may lead to a restricted and unbalanced diet.
Inviting another child over for tea, preferably one with a good appetite tends to be a good ruse. Invariably you will find that your child will eat what is offered provided her friend is eating it too!
If your child pesters you to buy something in the supermarket, ask him to read the ingredients list and if there is a long list of additives that he can’t pronounce because he doesn’t know what they are, don’t buy them.
 Click here for Annabel's Trail Mix recipe - a great snack idea
Click here for Annabel's meatballs with tomato sauce recipe - great for after school suppers
Click here for Annabel's pot noodles recipe - good fast food
 To buy Annabel Karmel's new title, The Fussy Eaters' Recipe Book, click here.
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