Tempting fussy eaters

Your child's eating habits can be a constant source of worry! Will they eat enough breakfast to concentrate at school today? Are they eating enough, or are they eating too much? Are they getting the vitamins and minerals that they require each day, and what about their fibre intake?

Here are some general guidelines on how to tackle fussy eating and take the stress away from breakfast and mealtimes.

Be an example to your child

If you're a fussy eater then you may have to make peace with the idea that she may be a fussy eater too. Lead by example and try to expand your diet to show her that you enjoy a wide variety of foods.

Assisting with food preparation

Ask your child to help with the preparation of a meal. She is more likely to eat a meal she has helped to make.

Set up regular habits for eating

Children thrive on routine so keep mealtimes regular and try to make sure there's enough conversation and engagement around the table to make the children enjoy coming to the table.

Make sure that the food you serve looks interesting

By including a few different coloured foods on his plate, she may become more interested in her food. If she has food favourites, include them and work from there.

Encourage self-feeding from a young age

Being actively involved in eating - rather than sitting passively receiving food - will encourage her to take an interest in the food she's being served.

Find a food he will eat from each food group

If your child doesn't like milk, try offering yoghurt or cheese.

Finish dinnertime

Once your child has eaten as much of a meal as he's going to, take away his plate and finish the meal. This will discourage him from drifting away from the table with the expectation that he can drift back later to pick at his food.

Serve child-size food

Their stomachs are small so make sure that your expectations are realistic.Your child is not a small adult and you can't expect her to eat like an adult. She can always ask for a second helping! Generally serve three small meals a day, with a snack in between.

Give them a good start to the day

Make sure she eats a nutritious breakfast. For example, Kellogg's Sultana Bran Buds is very high in fibre and has a taste that kids really love.

Give your child a choice

Let your fussy eater exercise a little power at mealtimes. Would she like pumpkin or potato? Milk or water? Cheese or yoghurt? By choosing one food over another, you'll probably find that she'll be happier to eat the one she's chosen.

Breakfast ideas and recipes:

• Kidspot's breakfast recipes section
• Healthy breakfast ideas
• Best breakfast recipes
• Breakfast and school
• Breakfast nutrition
• Get a healthy start to the day
• Breakfast for hungry minds
• Breakfast for kids
• Tempting fussy eaters
• The importance of breakfast
• Top breakfast ideas slideshow

Back to school shopping tips:

• How to buy school shoes
• 5 tips for buying a school bag
• How to buy technology for school
• The back-saving guide to buying a school bag

More back to school tips and ideas:

• Cool school supplies
• How to buy perfect school shoes
• Breakfast ideas to fuel little minds
• Tasty lunch box recipe ideas and tips
• Essential back to school guide for parents
• Solving common school difficulties (including head lice!)
• Free printable name labels and helpful tools

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