#asktheexpert My kid rejects food, how can I make her eat happily

Question

Accepted Answer

If your child refuses to eat, don’t worry—it’s common in toddlers! The key is to make food fun, interesting, and stress-free. Here’s what you can do:

1. Make Mealtime Fun & Engaging

✔ Play with Shapes & Colors: Use cookie cutters for chapati, dosa, or sandwiches. Serve colorful veggies.
✔ Offer Choices: Let your child pick between two healthy options (e.g., banana or apple).
✔ Creative Plating: Make smiley faces with food, arrange fruits in fun patterns.
✔ Involve in Cooking: Let your child help in washing veggies or stirring (safe tasks).

2. Smart Feeding Tricks

✔ Don’t Force-Feed – Let your child eat at their own pace.
✔ Follow a Schedule – Offer food every 2-3 hours (small meals, not forcefully).
✔ Limit Distractions – No mobile, TV, or toys during meals.
✔ Eat Together – Kids copy parents. Show them you enjoy food.
✔ Try Finger Foods – Offer bite-sized, easy-to-hold foods like paneer cubes, banana slices, or boiled potato sticks.

3. High-Calorie, Nutrient-Dense Foods

If your child eats less, give nutrient-packed foods:
✔ Milk & Dairy – Full-fat milk, paneer, curd, cheese.
✔ Healthy Fats – Ghee, peanut butter, coconut, dry fruits.
✔ Protein-Rich Foods – Dal, eggs, chicken, soya, chana.
✔ Energy-Boosting Foods – Banana, avocado, ragi, oats.

4. Sample Meal Plan (For a Picky Eater)

⏰ Morning: Dry fruit powder in warm milk + banana.
⏰ Breakfast: Suji cheela / Ragi porridge / Egg omelet with cheese.
⏰ Mid-Snack: Curd with fruit / Dry fruit laddoo.
⏰ Lunch: Soft chapati roll with paneer / Dal rice with ghee / Khichdi with veggies.
⏰ Evening: Milkshake / Smoothie / Fruit with peanut butter.
⏰ Dinner: Vegetable paratha / Soft idli with dal / Homemade pasta with cheese.

5. When to See a Doctor?

⚠ Continuous weight loss or weakness.
⚠ Frequent vomiting, loose motions, or bloating.
⚠ Extreme fussiness, rejecting even favorite foods.