Don’t eat in front of the TV… easy and healthy ways to deal with a child’s refusal to eat

Written by Fatima Khalil

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 09:00 PM

Many mothers suffer with their children who refuse to eat, and it is necessary to know the reason behind their refusal to eat, especially if they eat foods and not others, which is called “The selective childThis problem can be dealt with by following a set of tips.

Dr. Muhammad Shabib, Pediatrics and Neonatology Consultant at Shubra General Hospital, said that there are several reasons why a child does not eat, including that he is not hungry or suffers from a loss of appetite, or that he watches television while eating, explaining that too much accustoming a child to eating is undesirable. Healthy foods, such as: candy, potato chips, and chocolate, make the child reluctant to eat home-made foods, because unhealthy foods make him feel full and full without real nutritional value.

Shabib continued, saying that some children suffer from loss of appetite as a result of illness, abdominal pain, or constipation, and all of these are factors that may lead to them refusing food.

He stressed that the mother must teach her children independence in eating their food from a young age, so that he can depend on himself over time and increase his love for eating, adding that the mother must choose a healthy type of food for her child and let him eat it on his own, even if he does not finish his plate.

He added that a child’s refusal to eat without a clear reason for a long period of time could be due to anemia, iron deficiency, malnutrition, or a disease of the digestive system, so he must be brought to the attention of a specialist doctor to treat the cause.

Tips to improve appetite in a child who refuses food

Add your child’s favorite meal

According to the site mybrightwheel It is essential that the mother includes one meal that she is sure that her child will eat. However, do not give up on introducing new foods.

Don’t make him watch TV while eating

Remove all distractions such as toys, books, and electronic gadgets during mealtimes so your child can focus on food.

Involve children in preparing meals

Involving children in the meal preparation process When children participate in activities such as food shopping, menu planning, and even cooking, they may have a more positive attitude toward meals.

Do not offer him alternatives to the food he refuses

Do not replace the foods that the child rejects with other foods that he loves, but rather leave him until he feels hungry, and then he may eat the food that he rejected.