http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3183738/Experts-reveal-best-ways-stop-child-fussy-eater.html
By PHOEBE JACKSON-EDWARDS
Most children will turn there noses up at the idea of broccoli, but new research suggests that severe fussy eaters are twice as likely to develop mental health problems later in life.
A study by Duke University's medical school in the US has found that being overly picky when it comes to food could be a sign of underlying anxiety or depression.
In light of the findings, FEMAIL sought the advice of four experts - who suggested spiralizing vegetables, teaching children mindfulness and always eating together as a family.
Aoife Atwell, pictured, was a picky eater aged two which inspired mother Ciara Atwell to write a recipe blog
The study of more than 3,000 children aged two to six investigated how closely mental health was linked to fussy eating.
Those with highly selective habits were identified as more than twice as likely as normal eaters to have a diagnosis of depression.
Dr Nancy Zucker, the lead author of the research, suggested that those who view fussiness as a passing phase could be making a huge mistake - and might want to seek professional help.
Here an experienced nanny, a chartered psychologist, a food blogger and a new-age therapist give their top tips to help worried parents nip the problem of fussy eating in the bud.
THE NORWOOD NANNY
Claire Burgess advises parents to be persistent when trying to get toddlers to eat and not to presume too quickly that a baby does not like a certain food.
She said: 'Babies have heightened senses and so they need to touch, taste and smell things around them and this includes food.
'Adults sometimes see babies spit out food or make faces to certain flavours or textures and then assume that the baby doesn’t like it.
'But they need to keep reintroducing this as it might be the initial experience – remember babies prior to starting solid foods will have only had milk which is the same consistency and similar in taste.'
Miss Burgess has worked as a nanny since 2001 after qualifying at the Norland College in Bath - the same prestigious school where Kate Middleton and Prince William sought their childcare,
Aoife, now four, is far more experimental with food after her mother Ciara Atwell conquered her picky habits
She advised parents to avoid staring at their child while waiting for them to try foods for the first time, so they don't feel self-conscious - and to introduce vegetables before sweet treats in the early stages.
Miss Burgess points out that picky eating is common around the age of two with the neophobic stage, when toddlers will narrow down their food preferences.
She said: 'Keep putting small amounts of the food on their plate and suggest that they try it - but don’t force.'
She suggested that mothers were often making common mistakes such as overwhelming their child with too much food or giving them a 'clean plate' incentive.
'Being forced to eat all the food on the plate can again lead to negative views on food which is what you want to avoid,' she said.
'When working with families I would always eat with the children where possible. That way it becomes a social time where we talk about our day and the focus is on us having a conversation and an enjoyable experience rather than just food.'
THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr Netali Levi, a chartered clinical psychologist, believes there are many reasons why a child is fussy and warns that it could even be your relationship with food affecting them.
She said: 'It’s crucial to make mealtimes as enjoyable and relaxed as possible and to model a non-fussy relationship with food yourself.
'It’s important to reduce the negative food associations your child may have and build their confidence in trying new foods gradually.'
She advises spending a week monitoring their food intake throughout the day.
Dr Levi said: 'Do they become hungry at particular times or are they filling up on snacks in between meals, so are less hungry at mealtimes?
'Have they got stressful associations about eating or are they gaining some form of attention through fussy eating?'
She suggests that identifying what is influencing their eating will help determine the right course of action.
Dr Levi, who is an independent advisor for healthcare company Abbott, said: 'Try to follow a set meal and snack schedule to help your child regulate their hunger levels and learn they have to eat enough at mealtimes·
'Limit mealtimes to between 20 to 30 minutes, so your child is responsible for eating during this time period and a stressful mealtime doesn’t drag on and on.
'Give small portions so as not to overwhelm your child and let your child decide how much they need to eat, bearing in mind that the set snack and meal schedule is aiming to regulate their appetite.'
She warns against bribing or threatening children to eat at mealtimes, encouraging them to keep trying foods instead.
She said: 'Remember you may have to offer a new food between 10 and 20 times before your child accepts it.
'Finally, try to reward good eating behaviours such as staying seated and table manners, rather than focusing on eating.'
THE FOOD BLOGGER AND MOTHER-OF-TWO
Food blogger Ciara Atwell, 33, has been helping stressed parents through her recipe blog, My Fussy Eater.
The mother-of-two from Kent was inspired by her own struggles with her daughter Aoife, now four, as a toddler.
She said: 'My own daughter started to develop picky eating habits at the age of two and by the time she turned three she was only eating a very limited number of foods.
'After spending several months enduring daily battles with her, I realised I needed to change my approach to her eating in order to turn this fussy eater around.'
She says fussy eating can vary from refusal to eat foods of a certain colour - green being the usual culprit - to a dislike of specific meals.
She said: 'Kids love helping out so get them involved with preparing and cooking their meals from an early age.
'If you make them feel part of the process of their dinner then the plate of food in front of them will become a lot more appealing.'
'As children move out of the toddler stage they often use food as a way of asserting their independence. Giving them choice makes them feel like they have some control over their food.
'It can be as simple as allowing them to choose which vegetables to have with their dinner or allowing them to serve up their own portion from a selection of foods at the table.'
Ciara's son Finn, 18 months, tucks into his mother's sugar-free flapjacks, designed for weaning
Miss Atwell, who is also mother to 18-month-old Finn, suggests making the food more appealing - while praising the good behaviour and ignoring the bad.
She said: 'You don’t need to produce elaborate food art but injecting a little fun can help relieve some of the stress that often surrounds mealtimes.
Make simple smiley faces with fruit or use a spiralizer to create wriggly worm vegetables. Food on a stick is a big favourite in my house.'
THE NEW-AGE THINKER
Nick Jankel, who describes himself as a 'wisdom teacher' uses new-age theories and encourages parents to teach their children mindful eating.
He said: 'Ask them to take a couple of breaths and ‘sense' what their whole body and mind wants to eat at any time.
'Be prepared to challenge them with new foods and ideas - but ultimately you have to trust their intuition.
'In time, this teaches them to trust their own needs, rather than get into habit-based eating which can lead to eating disorders or addictions.'
He advises teaching them to sense which foods are healthy.
Mr Jankel, creator of Switch On books, said: 'Ask them how sugary things feel to them and whether they are helping. This means during, after and a couple hours after.
'Teach them to sense what different food types are doing, whilst explaining what they do as best you can.
'Then they will start to want protein and greens as they connect it to positive things like growth and flourishing - this empowers them to make wise choices for themselves.'
He says they don't necessarily need to conform to traditional meals if they're eating the right type of foods.
Mr Jankel said: 'Always remember that kids all over the world eat all sorts of foods - including chillis or vegetables for breakfast, so there are no ‘rules’.
'Allow them to discover what works for them.'
