How to deal with children who don’t like to eat?

Eating is a very important aspect during childhood. Children supplement nutrition and promote physical development by eating, but children often have the problem of not liking to eat. In the long run, this may cause malnutrition in children, leading to immaturity and affecting their future lives. The reasons why children don't like to eat are generally eating snacks constantly, not having good eating habits, poor eating environment, etc. The problem of children not liking to eat should be adjusted in time, such as letting the children do some exercise appropriately, minimizing the amount of snacks the children eat, and making the food exquisite, etc. The following is a detailed introduction to the adjustment.

If your child doesn’t like to eat, you can prepare a special dining table for him. Don’t let him leave as long as he hasn’t finished eating. This way he can develop a good habit of concentrating on eating. Moreover, this habit should be developed from the time the child starts eating complementary foods, so that you don’t have to chase after the child every time it’s time to eat. In addition, the following methods can also increase your baby's interest in eating:

1. Improve baby's appetite

(1) When preparing meals for your baby, try to dress up the food to make it look more fancy. Rich colors and animal shapes will make your baby curious. This will greatly increase his appetite.

(2) You can use interesting tableware, such as spoons with Teletubbies patterns, to divert children’s attention to the tableware.

(3) Play house with your child, teach him how to “cook” and then teach him how to eat by himself.

2. Don’t eat snacks before meals

Usually babies will feel hungry and want to eat snacks between meals. At this time, parents should be ruthless and stick to the principle of not giving snacks to babies before meals. This can increase the baby's appetite during meals. When he keeps crying, parents can play with him for a while to make him forget about being hungry.

3. Don’t scold your child

Children should not be scolded or forced to eat, otherwise they will find eating an unpleasant thing. When eating becomes an unpleasant thing, he naturally doesn't like eating, which is not good for the child's growth and development. If your child really doesn't want to eat properly, you might as well give him the food later. Wait until he is really hungry, and then ask him to sit down and eat. This will gradually develop his interest and concentration in eating.

4. Develop good habits

Children should be taught to develop the habit of not playing with toys while eating, especially before meals. Before eating, you can cultivate the habit of your child putting down his toys and helping his mother serve the dishes, letting everyone take a seat, and then eating with everyone.

How to improve your baby's appetite

Children have poor appetite and have no appetite for anything. The reduced food intake results in the body not absorbing enough nutrients, and their growth and development will also be affected. To improve children's appetite, it is necessary to reduce the burden on their stomachs and intestines, arrange their diet reasonably, and at the same time let them pay attention to drinking water and exercising more.

1. Reduce the burden on children's gastrointestinal tract

Children should be moderate in diet and should avoid eating fried foods or drinking too much sweet and cold drinks such as ice cream. This will protect the content and function of digestive enzymes and maintain appetite. Don't give your child snacks before meals. Usually babies will feel hungry and want to eat snacks between meals. At this time, parents should be ruthless and stick to the principle of not giving snacks to babies before meals. This can increase the baby's appetite during meals. In addition, when your baby is hungry, you can give him complementary foods instead of sticking to his original eating schedule. You can just adjust the eating time slightly and then slowly adjust it back to normal.

2. Eat more foods containing vitamins and trace elements zinc

Foods such as fish, liver, eggs, wheat, sorghum rice, millet, corn, rice, soybeans, carrots, lemons, oranges, tomatoes, green peppers, etc. contain vitamin C and trace elements. When parents prepare these foods, they can make them more beautiful, which can also increase appetite.

3. Hydration is important

Make sure your baby drinks water; don't wait until he is thirsty. Sugary or milky drinks are not good choices for hydration.

4. Indoor and outdoor activities are essential

Children’s activities should not be restricted. Moderate exercise can help digestion, get their body and mind moving, and stimulate their appetite.