(This article was first published in my local magazine in the UK)

Has your little one started nursery or school this term and is struggling with the food? I hope the below tips are of help.

KEEPING SHTUM

Whilst it is tempting (and understandable) to ask your child what they have eaten at school when you pick them up, it can add pressure and anxiety if your questions are not simply of the innocently-interested kind and more heavily focused on how much and what they did or didn’t eat. If you are really concerned, ask their teacher what they’ve eaten in the day to allow you to adjust their next meal accordingly when home.

IS MY CHILD EATING ENOUGH?

If your fussy eater doesn’t take to school meals straight away and eats less than they usually would, it is worth remembering that school lunches make up only 5 out of 21 meals per week, so they still have scope to achieve a good intake at breakfast and tea. If lunch is small or skipped, then children are often very good at self-regulating their intake (up or down) across other meals within their week. Viewing their food intake over a day or week rather than honing in on one specific meal can really take the pressure off.

TIME FOR CHANGE?

My children used to come home from school upset that they’d been made to finish everything on their plate even though they were already full, an approach that is now viewed by many feeding professionals, as outdated. Research shows children are the best judges of their own appetite and the less pressure and bribery on them to eat, the more they can tune into their own appetites, a skill needed for life.

OPTION OF PACKED LUNCHES

If the option is there, consider a mix of both canteen meals and packed lunches and gradually build up. This is a great opportunity for your child to eat with other kids and learn to try new flavours with their peers. Increase their variety by packing a mix of both their favourite food and unfamiliar items so they don’t go without and don’t feel the pressure to try new food if they are not ready.

If you are trying (or thinking) to use this modern feeding approach and would also like your child’s school to learn more, I have a template letter below

Want more tips on how to get your fussy eater to eat more variety? Look no further here!