The One ‘Wonder’ Question that Makes Dining a Pleasurable Experience

Picky Eaters must be Carefully Handled

Does your family have one of those finicky eaters who convey their disinterest through gestures when a particular food they dislike is served to them??? Rather than following the routine way of dealing, surprise them with this simple question: “How can I make it better for you?”

The question, once put forward can work wonders with your children as it makes them feel more involved in planning their meal. This also works as a two-way switch making you feel more relaxed as you now clearly know what your child desires.

Choosing the apt words to question your little one is the vital element in bringing about a change for the better. Rather than putting forward a question like “Why don’t you like it?” a positive question allows for constructive problem-solving and progressive solutions.

Make It Better
Though the question “How can I make that better for you?” may not trigger an instantaneous response from your child, it will set his/her brains ticking. Here are some common complaints and suggested solutions (note that nuts and seeds are choking hazards for children under 4 years):

• "The food is too hot."
  Refrigerate it for some time or add chilled milk to your porridge.
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• "The food is too cold."
  Heat it in the microwave or keep it in the broiler.

•   "The food is plain."
  Use "sprinkles" such as flax seeds, sesame seeds, slivered almonds, fresh mint, shredded coconut, nutritional yeast, cinnamon or shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese to make it look attractive when served.
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• "The food is boring."
  Make it interesting by adding a dip such as hummus, guacamole, mild salsa or a yogurt-based tzatziki. This brings taste and creates an enjoyable eating experience.​ 

A Simple Dish with your Child's Favorite Seasonings

• "The food is too crunchy."
  Lightly steam vegetables or add a sauce or spread to crackers or toast. 
  
  
• "The food is too creamy."
  Nuts, seeds, panko breadcrumbs, croutons, granola, diced vegetables or fruits can be suggested toppings for your soup or yogurt.
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• "The plate has [fill in the blank] on it, and I don't like it."
   Keep your child’s spirit up by allowing him/her to put aside disturbing food off the plate. Disturbing food can be a small yellow corn peeping from a dish or shreds of green herbs.

​Caution: Solutions that work today may not work tomorrow. The simple question “How can I make that better for you?” will bring in different answers but you can be sure of getting some answer. Also, if you would like to try healthy and nutritious recipes that would be relished by your child, you can always find them at www.firsteatright.com. The suggestions above can help you avoid annoying mealtimes and make dining an enjoyable experience.