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Juggling kids meals should be an Olympic sport.
Or at least an art form.
When you have two double trouble.
Kids are notoriouslypicky eaters, so its no surprise that one mom went to share her woes on Reddit.
The aptly namedMama2Dragonsasked the internet whether how she handled her two kiddos was too cruel.
Netizens gave their verdict, and it was pretty unanimous.
Scroll down to see the full story and how it ends.
Keep scrolling to find her advice for parents on how to deal with picky eaters.
Lucy is a pediatric dietitian, feeding therapist, and founder of The Childrens Dietitian.
She helps parents navigate feeding challenges so that their children can enjoy food.
She says that dealing with a fussy eater takes a long time.
But there are some practical strategies to support picky eaters.
First, try eating together.
This also means you might focus on some foods you yourself want to eat.
Second, avoid pressuring kids to eat.
If you want long-term solutions, Lucy says coercion isnt one of them.
Certain methods can often cause children to become anxious or avoid mealtimes altogether.
These futile rules include long mealtimes or asking children to take a bite.
The nutrition expert also advises combining accepted foods with exposure foods.
Lastly, Lucy tells parents to trust their kids and give them some autonomy.
Giving choices or options, meaning Would you like peas or sweetcorn with dinner?
or serving food family style can all be helpful.
Many parents worry their children arent eating enough, but the dietician advises to look at things calmly.
I often remind parents that a balanced plate and diet doesnt need to be overcomplicated.
Often, children are getting enough variety to support their health.
The childrens dietician recommends writing down the foods your child will eat.
confirm there is at least something from every food group, she says.
Carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, dairy or fortified alternatives, and protein-rich foods is a great starting point.
If any column looks more sparse, you might want to prioritize plenty of exposure to those foods first.
The expert suggests considering fortified foods as well.
Ready oats, cereals, bread, and even some milk can be helpful, she says.
Also, dont shy away from getting some outside help.
Its part of their brain development and asserting their independence, she writes in her blog.
Its related to a developmental phase thats named neophobic the fear of something new.
Almond-Bushell writes that babies enter this stage at around 18 months.
This is where they become suspicious of both new food and some familiar foods, she explains.
Babies throw fits when forced to eat something theyre afraid of.
This fear is not forever and passes with age.
The key to overcoming this fear is repeated exposure.
Lucy Uptonalso names several other reasons kids can refuse to eat in her blog.
Sometimes their learned experiences can influence their reactions.
Other kids can have sensory issues with certain foods.
They are more receptive to how food feels, smells, and tastes.
