Many parents are distraught in front of their children who categorically refuse to eat their plate. Why should you avoid forcing them? What are the right attitudes to adopt in the event of conflicts at meal time? The responses of Béatrice Benavent-Marco, nutritionist.
On average, a child needs 1,000 calories per day between 1 year and 2 years, 1,300 calories between 3 and 5 years old, 1,700 calories at the age of 6 and 2,000 calories at 10 years old. Nutritional needs Calculate themselves according to the weight of the child and his daily energy expenses as well as his basic metabolism. Béatrice Benavent-Marco, a nutritionist dietitian, recalls that these needs must be distributed in a balanced way, with importance for children to consume just what is necessary for proteins and enough calcium. For example, breakfast must bring 25% of the energy intake of the day, lunch 35%, snack 10% and dinner 30%. Finally, to have an idea, a child must weigh around 11 kg between 1 and 2 years, 20 kg around 5-6 years and 30 kg around 9-10 years.
Why do some children refuse to eat at the table?
In the vast majority of cases, Children become neophobicsimply in opposition to their parents or food. Generally, it is From 1.5 years old and up to the age of 6 On average that they refuse to taste new flavors and eat foods that they do not appreciate. They are sometimes concerned about other things and do not necessarily want to get to the table, preferring to play … Result: Result: They often conflict with their parents who ask them to finish their plate. However, this is a completely normal behavior among toddlers, and that is why many parents feel concerned, even distraught since a kind of “war” around food settles down when going to the table. “”And this fight is often won by children who take advantage of it“Explains the nutritionist. Indeed,”They realize that The fact of not eating affects parentsand they use it as absolute power“.
How to react in case of conflicts?
“”As a parent, we are necessarily emotionally involved. And if the child feels that we are destabilized, he may strengthen this game“, explains Béatrice Benavent-Marco. Difficult to apply on a daily basis, the ideal would be to trivialize the situation and not show her that her refusal to eat us affects us.“”Thus, it is more likely that it will capitulate in the long term, but in any case, it will not aggravate the situation. Let us start from the principle that he will not eat more if we threaten him“, Adds the specialist. She then advises parents to Let him eat at his own paceby offering him all the components of the meal (starter, main course, dessert) and telling him that there will be nothing else afterwards (until snack). There is therefore no point in depriving him of dessert, quite the contrary ! If he does not eat his dish, but he accepts the fruit or compote, “it’s always better than nothing”. Punish him, blackmail him and give him an issue (“If you finish your plate, you will have the right to a candy or a cake”) does not help things either. Nevertheless, He will have to wait for snack time to be able to eat if he’s hungry. Offer him a normal snack, without giving him a double ration of cake at 4 p.m. because he has eaten anything at noon. In this case, make him calmly understand that he will eat better tonight.
How to make him want to eat his plate?
- To begin with, “”get your child in the preparation of the meal allows it to give it interest“, Explains Béatrice Benavent-Marco. Thus, he appropriates the new products and foods, gets to know them and if he has contributed to the dish recipe, there is more likely to taste it at the table. Do not hesitate to value it with the rest of the family (” It is Julie who cooked the entrance today! “).
- It is also important, before going to the table,ritual (We wash our hands, we bring towels …). Note it that in ten minutes, it will be time to eat. This will allow him to finish what he is in the process of undertaking, especially if he is in the middle of a game, and to make a transition between his activities and the family meal.
- At the table, if he refuses to taste a food, don’t force it. However, do not lose hope either since the tastes of children evolve quickly, and the foods arise in different forms. Doesn’t he like rape carrots? Perhaps he will appreciate a carrot puree, or cooked carrots, mixed with peas or pasta? …
- What if you made the meal fun? Perhaps he will have less fear than if he associated this moment with the conflict and “the obligation to finish his plate”? For this, Béatrice Benavent-Marco advises parents to always eat with the family, together, in order to make it clear that it is above all a pleasant moment and sharing. “”If you offer him a spinach soup for example, tell him that it is the soup coming straight from the country of extraterrestrials“, she offers. You can also prepare” food art “plates to him, by creating small characters with food: eye olives, puree for the face, tomatoes for ears and sausages as a smile … Thus, he will be proud to have devoured the ears and you,” satisfied “that he has eaten tomatoes.
- Finally, keep in mind that a child does not remain attached hours (on average 25 to 30 minutes). So don’t wait too long before serving it. And if he still does not eat, tell yourself that there is nothing serious as long as his statrosan-pondral curve is normal. However, there are reasons to worry if the child has an alarming behavior, if he vomits after meals or his weight is insufficient compared to his age or his size. In this case, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
Béatrice Bénavent-Marco is a nutritionist dietician. More information on its site www.maconsultationdietetique.fr
