Fussy eaters: Quality is far better than quantity

Feb 06, 2011

AT mealtime, two-year-old Nana often refuses to eat. However, when her mother buys ice cream or crisps, Nana enjoys them. Nana’s mother is concerned because many times her child goes without food, and she fears her daughter will miss out on the nutrients essential for growth. <br>

By Halima Shaban
AT mealtime, two-year-old Nana often refuses to eat. However, when her mother buys ice cream or crisps, Nana enjoys them. Nana’s mother is concerned because many times her child goes without food, and she fears her daughter will miss out on the nutrients essential for growth.

Elizabeth Masaba, a nutritionist, says Nana is a fussy eater. Fussy eating is a condition where children reject certain foods or become afraid of trying new ones.

Masaba says many children have difficulty eating between their second and sixth year. However, in most cases, the children do not have an eating problem.

Masaba says in order to maintain a normal growth and good health, a child has two important needs: An adequate intake of calories and a balanced diet that supplies the essential nutrients.

Annabel Karmel, a children’s food expert in her book, Fussy Eaters Recipe Book, says, 20% of children under five years are picky eaters and the problem can persist into their teens and sometimes into adulthood.

“Well don’t fear because fussy eating is very common among children and in most cases is just a passing phase that they will eventually get through,” Karmel notes.

Masaba says there is a particular reason why some children become picky. Children learn by example, so if you do not have a healthy diet, your children will follow suit.

Catherine Ruhweza, the founder of MamaTendo Foundation, says if a child is constantly refusing certain meals, reintroduce the foods and disguise their taste.

“Silver fish (mukene), for instance, tastes different when mixed with groundnuts and matooke. It is just a matter of being creative.

Sometimes it can take 12 to 14 attempts before children try something new,” Ruhweza says. She says getting used to meal time, new foods, strange textures and flavours can bother a child.

Masaba says snacks can be as important as regular meals, but one should not allow a child to snack all day. Stick to three meals and two snacks a day.

Ruhweza says young children tend to eat according to their natural instincts about what, when and how much they need to eat. Their appetite usually adjusts to the amount and type of food that provides energy and nutrients for growth.

Jessica Nsungwa, a paediatrician, says although parents tend to worry about their children’s eating habits, their children’s instincts are often correct.

“The fact that a child is not eating according to the parents’ expectations does not mean that there is a problem.”
One of the most important indicators of whether there is a serious feeding problem is a child’s overall growth pattern.

Nsungwa says a child should follow a certain expected rate of growth in terms of length or stature and weight gain. “If your child’s growth rate is following the expected course, he or she is most likely in good health and does not have a serious feeding problem. But any change or interruption in the expected rate of growth may signal a more serious problem that needs medical attention,” she says.
Masaba says what is most important to a child’s health and growth is not the quantity, but the quality of food they eat. A parent should concentrate on nutritious food without emphasising portions. It is important for a child to have a balanced diet which includes a variety of nutritious foods from each of the four main food groups (carbohydrates, fats proteins and vitamins). “To ensure that a child is eating a balanced diet, offer some foods from each food group everyday,” Masaba says.

How to handle fussy eaters
l Make the meal timetable relaxed and free of distractions like TV.
l Do not force a child to eat something they hate.
l Include children in deciding what they are going to eat.
l Set up a reward system.
l Allow fussy eaters to explore and play with their food.

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