For the last few days, my posts have been focusing on how to introduce a ‘starter’ into mealtimes; offering some of your adult leftovers from the day before or serving some vegetables whilst your child waits for you to dish up. These posts are meant to be simple ideas that need very little preparation. Thanks for all the great feedback so far.
Next point to think about for the next few days is:

🍽 PORTION SIZE 🍽

A plate packed with food could potentially put a child off their meal, especially if they are a sensitive eater. The expectation that they need to finish it all in their little minds can be overwhelming before they even start (which by the way, I never ask my children to finish their plate, more on that another time!). Start off small and they can always ask for more.
And this continues to the actual size of the individual food on their plate:

Rather than plonk a large broccoli head on their plate, chop it into smaller ‘branches’.

Rather than a whole chicken breast, chop it up into tiny, manageable pieces.

Rather than put 10 carrots sticks on their plate, put 2 or 3.

Rather than a green bean, chop one of them into 5 smaller pieces.

You get the idea 😊 and it really can help. Maybe that’s why my kids seem to prefer peas because they are small?! Something to think about.

So from this post, all you need to think about is awareness of what your child’s portion size looks like if your child look overwhelmed at mealtimes. Seeing things from their eyes, being aware of how little their mouths and stomachs are.

I see some amazing food art pics on social media, and whilst I like to have a go for fun away from mealtimes normally, this idea is much more sustainable for the busy parent!

As always, this is not a ‘quick fix’, just how I do mealtimes for my kids as a permanent thing.

Thoughts?

What are you serving for meals today? I need some inspiration!

PS Thanks for all the private messages from parents wanting to comment but not wanting all of social media to read their views/questions! I have set up ‘Happy Little Eaters Group’ - a closed group for anyone wishing to ask me questions
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#happylittleeaters #makingmealtimesfun #pickyeating #fussyeatingtips