Balancing Thanksgiving dinner for a picky child

Balancing Thanksgiving dinner for a picky child | Image Credit: © sonyakamoz - © sonyakamoz - stock.adobe.com.

It can be challenging for parents to prepare a Thanksgiving meal for a picky eater, with elaborate food and holiday traditions often in the mix.

Healthychildren.org, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics, is offering tips for parents to create a nutritious meal for their picky-eating children.

Parents should choose at least 1 food item they know the child will eat, regardless of if they are hosting or traveling to another home to celebrate.

This will allow the child to have something no matter the combination of foods at the table. This will also show the child that the parent cares about their respective preferences when meal-planning.

When it comes to meal-planning, the parent should engage the child. Parents can tell the child the meal should include at least 1 protein, grain, fruit, and vegetable. Parents can tell the child what will be included in the meal but should also ask the child of any food ideas they may have.

Together, the parent and child can find a recipe that uses all these food items as ingredients. This method can increase the chances of the child eating all the items involved, since they were included in the process.

From there, the child can then take part in preparing the meal. A toddler can help with cleaning vegetables, or an older child can help “mash the potatoes, or your teenager to boil the cranberries,” healthchildren.org lists as examples.

This allows the child to see what they are preparing and can again increase the likelihood of them trying new foods and getting the full, balanced meal.

Parents can incorporate “food bridges,” to help the child eat the Thanksgiving meal. Once a food is accepted, similarly colored, textured, or flavored foods can be used in addition, expanding the number of items the child might eat.

Finally, parents should try to keep the dinner enjoyable and relaxed. They can focus on enjoying the time together and find ways to be thankful and express gratitude.

Reference:

How to plan a balanced Thanksgiving meal for picky eaters. Health Children. November 21, 2022. Accessed November 22, 2023. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/How-to-Plan-a-Balanced-Thanksgiving-Meal-for-Picky-Eaters.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZrYBRFkgEjqe9pw1y5DHw7ODsofHpEhCMsblSInNyoLF9QIuNhxrnRoCKtIQAvD_BwE