Nutrition Nexus

Teamwork with parents is essential!

• Collaboration and support from parents is vital to help children improve their picky eating tendencies both in the classroom and home environments
• If a student’s picky eating tendencies are concerning, it is best to set up a meeting with the child’s parents
• You can request a stand alone meeting or incorporate it into an existing upcoming parent-teacher conference

Tips to discuss picky eating at school

• If the parents are choosing from menu items for school lunch ahead of time for their child, request that parents choose foods that are common and liked by their child
• School lunchtime is not the optimal place for a parent to want their child to try new foods

• In the event the child refuses to eat the novel food item, there may not be an alternative nutritious meal option able to be offered

• If a child consistently does not want to eat the school lunch, let the parents know

• Kindly request that they send lunch from home instead if that is conducive to your school policies and procedures

• Make sure the child’s parents are on the same page as you with regard to encouraging their child to eat certain foods.

• Some parents may not be concerned with their children's eating habits and may not be open to making changes.

Tips to help with picky eating at home

• Encourage parents to not tell their child that they are being picky – children may internalize this which can further enhance their selective eating patterns
• Suggest for parents to offer foods multiple times – patience is key. It may take 10-15 times before a child shows any interest in the food item
• Tell parents to encourage their child to take a bite – but try not to force children to eat
• Suggest for parents to include children in the food shopping and meal preparation
• Remind parents it is important to not force or trick a child into eating something such as hiding ingredients within other foods
• Suggest to not provide snacks too close to meal times – this will fill children's stomachs and they may not be hungry or willing to eat the meal
• Wait to provide milk or juice before the child eats – this will also fill them up and they will not be hungry for food
• If a parent wants to introduce a new food item, pair the new item with a food their child likes
• Have family meals when possible – allow the children to see their parents and siblings eating the same foods they are served