SuperNanny and Picky Eaters

We've all shared in the joys of dealing with a fussy eater. You may think your child was just born this way or you may in fact be a fussy eater yourself, so you view it as completely normal. However, it's important that your child is able to develop a taste for all the food groups, so that he/she experiences complete and balanced nutrition. SuperNanny's methods for dealing with picky eaters combine practical experience and expert advice, and that's what makes them so effective. SuperNanny Picky Eater Technique:

Making sure your child becomes aware of new food groups and having a nice sit-down family meal can be troubling, especially if your family is constantly on the go. However, SuperNanny's "Good Eating" techniques can combat all these issues and help both you and your child become healthier eaters. Use these SuperNanny tips below to deal with your picky eater:

• Get creative. Set aside 10 minutes and come up with two different menus. One menu should list vegetables and healthy items you would like your child to become familiar with. The other menu should list healthy items that your child will realistically try. Together, you and your child can pick things off each menu and combine the best of both worlds to create a healthy, yet practical meal. Write the final menu down on a paper plate and do this for a few days, creating different menus daily. At the end of the week you can ask your child which one was their favorite and cook the meal again, only together this time. This will broaden both you and your child's menu knowledge and tastes.
• The placement reward chart for picky eaters. As one of SuperNanny's most successful techniques, the placement reward chart is when you cut a circle of cardboard big enough so that it creates an edge around your child's plate. Next, you and your child color four sections, each different color represents the basic food groups; carbohydrates, protein, fruits and vegetables. Laminate this piece of cardboard and then buy stickers that match the four corresponding colors. Next, agree on a list of rewards with your child that will motivate them to eat one whole portion of each different food group. Write this reward list up and place it on the refrigerator. From there, every time your child takes a bite or finishes a portion of a specific food group, they can place the matching sticker around the edge of the cardboard mat. If your child uses all four colors of stickers during mealtime then they get the special agreed upon prize.

If your child refuses to eat or at the very least try new food groups, then you can try cutting out snacks or stop offering alternatives. Be sure to let your child know that nothing else will be served until the next meal. However, utilizing the above SuperNanny healthy eating techniques are sure to make a more adventurous eater out of your once fussy child.