I have done my last veggie pushing stint at the local school. It was something I was instrumental in implementing a few years ago and is now a feature of all the sausage sizzles.

I prepare trays of raw veg and wander among the children offering them free veg (sponsored by the PTA).
For me it's excellent messaging - veg present at every meal - and often children will try new things like daikon when surrounded by peers also eating them.

I'm so excited that member's of the PTA will take on the role as I "retire" as chief "veggie pusher". ​

Goodbye Help ...

Today is the first day of a new year for both boys. Max is the youngest in his new school and Joe the oldest.

This means I lose my home-help :(

It's been soooo lovely having them home (mostly). And having someone else do dinners for 6 weeks has been amazing.

But all good things come to an end and now it's back to Mum on duty. And lunchboxes ....

If you have children going back to school this week how does it feel?

Boomerang School lunches
So the routines of school and after-school activities are set to return for most people this week.
The dreaded lunchboxes become a permanent morning feature and for many parents so does the dread of opening it in the afternoon to discover most of the contents have made it home safely :(
If you do have a selective eater then it's common to find that your lunchboxes are not touched unless stuffed with favourites. And often those favourites lead you down a slippery path of less and less variety and more and more packaged food.
My advice is to worry less about the lunchbox and more about the other meals. Yes, lunch is very important and is probably about one third of what children consume during the day. And yes not eating well during the day can affect concentration, energy levels and mood.
However, for selective eaters just eating away from home is often challenging. Throw in all those distractions like play and the negative aspects of negotiating food in front of others and it often becomes overwhelming. So what to do?
1. Attempt a sustaining and filling breakfast.
2. Think nutrient dense afternoon tea and dinner.
3. Send what your child is happy to eat but rotate so each day is slightly different (even if it's just flavours of yoghurt or popcorn v crackers for the very selective).
4. Create as many bite-sized options as possible. It's far easier to eat a tiny sandwich or muffin than something large that seems overwhelming.
5. Worry less about what's getting eaten so our children worry less too.
6. Serve some of what you want eaten - if we don't serve fruit our child doesn't have the opportunity to eat fruit (if this is distressing for a very selective eater then obviously do not).
7. Work on strategies that gradually give your child the confidence they need around food away from home.

As Max is going through a period of really rapid growth he is often not able to eat enough at dinner to tide him through.

As he's very in-tune with his appetite and really does only eat because he's hungry it's very easy for me to know when to provide more.

As everyone who works with me knows I generally don't advocate for supper however, in this instance Max is eating a huge and well-balanced meal and then 3 hours later is finding himself hungry again.

I am not providing "snack" items I am whipping up a "mini-meal". Me being me, means that needs to be well-balanced and as best as practicable foods that he's not already had that day.

Here he has egg and cheese cooked together, half an avocado, some coleslaw and home-made mayo, corn, olives and a little apple chutney.

Does your child eat a huge meal and it just disappears as though you haven't cooked?!?!?

My goal has always been  to serve five different veg at each meal.

Why:
- Because I believe that variety helps to ensure we get a range of nutrients.
- It stops us getting bored (who wants steamed carrots every day!)
- It makes providing enough food really easy
- The more veg on offer the more likely variety will be eaten
- Veg are relatively inexpensive so filling up on them is cheap!

Why I don’t ask for help with my child’s fussy eating?
 
Parents are often reluctant to seek help when it comes to fussy eating. Why? There are many reasons but these are the most common (and our answers):

1. My child will grow out of it – sometimes yes, sometimes no.
 
2. I feel really guilty – we all carry so much guilt as parents. Leave that aside, we know that many kids are pre-disposed to selective eating so assigning “fault” is not productive. However, doing something about it makes us feel so much better.
 
3. I’ve tried everything and nothing works – there are often ways to approach eating with tried and tested strategies that do yield results.
 
4. My child is so selective nothing will work – we work with super selective eaters and do see progress.
 
5. My child has sensory issues – we do work with children who have additional needs and have good results.
 
6. I’ve been told by everyone it’s just a phase – many children do go through “fussy” stages. However, many are stuck with the same foods for years so it’s not a “phase”.
 
7. I don’t have the time or the energy – learning how to feed the kids takes away the stress, the frustrations and over time saves so much time.
 
8. I was fussy as a child so it’s not surprising my kids are – possibly. However, instead of accepting this as destiny why not intervene and teach them to eat well?
 
We can teach you to teach your kids to eat well.

We’re offering a complimentary consultation during May. Get in quick and arrange a call to evaluate your child’s situation and get a professional opinion on whether further action is necessary.

judith@theconfidenteater.com

WE CAN STOP PICKY EATING
Receive a complimentary personal consultation with local picky eating specialist.

Unique system run by Picky Eating Specialist – The Confident Eater
Can we get kids:

• Trying new foods? – YES
• Eating family meals? – YES – so no more separate meals
• Branching out from pasta & nuggets? – YES
• Eating veggies? – YES – even if none get eaten now
• Overcoming fear of foods? – YES
• Wanting to have dinner? – YES
  

HOW?

Eating is a learned behaviour just like riding a bike or reading. If you can teach someone to read, you can teach them to eat.

We teach you how to teach them.

Unique program developed over years of observation, study, experimentation and
experience.

Proven results and track record for even the most stubborn of children.

Confidence Program FAQ’s

1. What age kids is it appropriate for?
   

 We generally work with parents of children 2-12
     2. What if my child only eats a few foods?                                             
We can work effectively with almost all children
    3.   What if my child has sensory issues or food fears?    
We have experience dealing with children who have these (and other) issues
   4. How do you teach us?
We run intensive workshops for parents
   5. What if we’re based in another country?
We are able to run sessions very easily via video-conference
   6. How long are the workshops?
They run for approximately 3 hours
   7. Does my child need to be there?
No, these are exclusively for parents (and other principal caregivers)
   8. How do you know what our problems are?
We do a personal consultation with parents prior to the workshop
   9. Can I really change my child’s eating after one session?Yes. Every parent will see positive change.
   10. How much does it cost?
Currently we have a special with group sessions in Wellington $ 250.00 per family. Personal sessions via video-conference $ 350.00 per family
 
Now a question for you.
If meals are a constant battle, if your child is not eating what you serve, if you struggle to get them to eat the foods you know they need WHY NOT TAKE ACTION NOW?

Our unique 4 Hour Empower Sessions work.

This is a proven system that really does change lives.

For a very small investment of time and money you can totally change the way food is viewed in your household.

Hear what some of the parents have had to say about the workshops.

“Wow how our lives have changed for the better and all thanks to you”

“I don't cook any different foods now, pretty much haven't since we met you.  He eats most things now, takes his plate with new food on it and says 'wow mum this looks nice"

“We went out to an Indian restaurant on Saturday night” (and her son had an onion bhaji, a samosa and a chicken lasuni curry)

“Things are going very well - in fact now that I look back, I cannot believe the progress we have made”

“I feel confident about going overseas with him now to places like Singapore, Thailand and the states.  I won't need to worry about him and what he will eat”

“We can put anything on his plate for dinner”

Sign-up NOW. First 4 parents receive complimentary personal plan for 2nd child