Children's Fickle Food Habits

As a "foodie," I have always found it hard to understand individuals who have a very limited diet or who frequently don't eat the different or exotic. That is, until now, when my three-year-old is once again self-limiting his diet. This week, he wants a diet rich in toaster pastries, which don't exactly cover all the food groups or fit into my idea of a complete meal.

As an adult, I know what I should and shouldn't do to ensure a healthy diet and lifestyle for myself. If I choose not to follow these "rules," then I have only myself to blame. But how are we going to create a healthy foundation for our children if we allow them to have a limited diet that may be low in essential vitamins and minerals?

While I know that my son is exerting his independence and wanting to make his own decisions, it's difficult not to want to force a healthier diet on him. However, I have learned that these food jags do not last forever and that they often arrive at an end point where the specific foods he craved are no longer even on his favorites list. If you are concerned about your child's eating habits, consider the following:

• Be sure to role-model the behaviors that you want - if your children see you eating healthy, well-balanced meals, they will be more inclined to do the same.

• Offer a variety of foods, even if you know most will be turned down initially.

• Always expose the child to new and interesting foods, while remembering that you may have to offer exotic choices multiple times before your little one will even sample them.

• Forcing foods on a child may only cause him to have a negative association with those foods in the future.

Remember: These food jags probably will not be long lasting, and while this week, peas may be on the "yuk list," next week they may be the favorite.