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School Lunch Program: How to Deal with Picky Eaters

Is you child a picky eater? Most kids go through some period of time when they refuse to pick up the fork. Some are worse than others, but it’s something that just about every parent has to deal with at some point. They can be particularly difficult when it comes to anything healthy, ESPECIALLY veggies. If this is something that you have struggled with as a parent, you’re in luck: the school lunch program, The Lunch Mob, is here to help with some tips for parents with picky kids.

Sometimes Full Really Does Mean Full

It’s important to respect your child’s appetite. Children often know when they are full. Kid’s aren’t as good at ignoring signals from their body as adults (like when you’re tired but ignore it). Notice how your kids often overreact to a minor scrape or injury? When their body tells them something kids notice! It’s the same with food. A kid who says that they are full, unless they’re just lying, really is full and should stop eating. It’s important for kids to learn to respect that signal from their body telling them to stop eating. So unless you think your little one is trying to pull a quick one on you to avoid that broccoli, let the veggies stay and respect that they are full.

Follow A Routine

Creating and following a particular feeding routine is a good method of breaking through picky eaters. It enables the child’s body to know and expect big meals and little snacks. Begin by setting time for meals and snacks that you adhere to strictly. If a child refuses to eat at that set time, make them wait for the next serving: they won’t miss it next time. One part of your routine is already set: lunchtime at school. A school lunch program like The Lunch Mob provides kids with healthy meals at a set time every weekday.

Be Patient

It may be frustrating when you are trying to introduce new foods so patience is required. Children have very strong senses. When they try a new food, it is sometimes the first time they have ever had anything resembling it. There’s not a lot of food experiences for them to relate things to. Be patient with them, and maybe try adding in foods that are similar, if not exactly the same, as other foods they like.

Make It Fun

Children often learn well through playing and having fun. It is, therefore, important to incorporate these during meal times. Have your kids help you cook or even make trying new foods into a game. These tactics may work in making your kid warm up to the idea of something new.

Involve Them When Ordering From Our School Lunch Program

Carry your child along when going for shopping at the grocery store; give them a chance to select their favorite fruits, vegetables, and other healthy meals at The Lunch MOB. Have them help you cook so that they see the process and know what they are eating. If they help, they may also feel invested in the idea that it will be something good.

The Lunch Mob is school lunch program that offers all sorts of healthy foods for your child to choose from. With over sixty entree options, The Lunch Mob, is a school lunch program that will keep your child healthy and happy.

Photo credit: Together Counts