Call it the terrible twos, the trying threes or the ferocious fours- euphemisms may change, but the troubles remain the same. What they liked the previous week, turns into an object of utmost hatred for kids this week. I used to attribute my daughter’s poor eating skills to any distractions in the household. I used to blame my husband for walking into the room (yes, silly as it may sound!) when I was feeding my child as she used to run away from food and start playing with daddy dearest. But later I understood that running away from meals was a lot more intriguing than what it appeared on the surface level and here’s what I found out after a lot of reading and discussion- adults are also picky eaters, just that the world doesn’t make a big fuss about it!
We at KSP suggested 20 books you could read out to your kids to make mealtimes happier. Check out the list, if you haven’t already – click here.Â
The famous British chef Jamie Oliver also explains in this video below why you need to teach your kids the basics about food and what’s right and not. Watch this TED Talk to start the useful mealtime conversations in your homes today!
And if you are a parent wondering if someone could explain the whole meal time battle in words you will understand, we ‘ve got you covered. We tell you 5 books you need to read as a parent today, to understand why your kids might actually be picky eaters! Here’s wishing you happier meal times!
1. My Child Won’t Eat! How to Enjoy Mealtimes Without Worry
Author: Carlos Gonzalez
What this book tells you: Written by a paediatrician who is also a father, tells us what exactly tells us exactly what happens in our households. The constant urge to feed our kids more than what they want, and the tantrums that ensue- this book tells them all, with real-life stories from other moms too. Did you know that forcing your kids to eat beyond what they want could even lead to obesity?
Author: Karen Le Billon
What this book tells you: This book tells us what the famous author Karen Le Billon experienced when she moved from US to France and how she witnessed a world of change in her kids’ eating habits. She narrates how the French school lay a lot if importance to good food and eating right. They also insist upon children spending a minimum of 30 minutes on the dining table to eat their food sufficiently slowly and properly, a part of their “slow food training”
3. Getting to Yum: The 7 Secrets of Raising Eager Eaters
Author: Karen Le Billon
What this book tells you: From the same author who told us why “French Kids Eat Everything”, this book tells us easy and relateable tips and tricks that will help your kids not just aaccept food but enjoy them as well (from yuck to yum!) Involving them in the process of food making is the key, says the author in this book. Find out how small changes from your end will help your kids change their outlook about food!
4. It’s Not About the Broccoli:
Author: Dina Rose
What this book tells you: The author who is also a sociologist, parent educator and feeding expert gives us a different perspectuve into the whole feeding the kids routine. Instead of forcing kids to taste something new at the dining table, she suggests we do it before meal time to steer clear of any doubts or tantrums. Research also has it that kids need to taste new foods 10-15 times before they are actyually offered them as a meal- honestly mommies, do we even cross the 2/3 times mark?! Something to think about.
5. Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater
Author:
What this book tells you:Â A paediatrician and a feeding therapist join hands to tell you why eating right not only fills your child’s tummy but is also imperative for his/her emotional and cognitive development. With real life stories from parents who won the meal time war to what really works for kids from newborn to school stage, this books tells us all.
You may also like: Tips To Feed Fussy Eaters And How To Create Mummy Ka Magic
Image source: mabelhood
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Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
Rati Ramadas Girish
