On kids and picky eating: 5 ways kids can play with food

I’m sure a lot of other moms (and dads, and maybe even lolos and lolas!) would probably agree with me when I say that getting your child to eat healthy foods can be quite challenging. (It can be challenging even for us adults, actually!)

As a mom of three kids, I’ve had my share of "food fights" with my kids during mealtimes. I have a child who would eat only sinigang and nilaga as a preschooler, and another child who -- though more "adventurous" when it comes to food -- would eat only fried chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I’d allow it.

Thankfully, things have improved quite a bit now. My kids’ food choices have increased and improved, although I must admit that we still have a long way to go in terms of eating "clean" 100% of the time.

Help for moms with picky eaters

I know I still have a lot to learn about how to get my kids to be less "picky" and more excited about eating fruits and vegetables. This is why I turn to moms who are "experts" at getting their kids to eat healthy -- they have lots of advice to give, based on their own experiences with their kids.

One such mom is Tricel De Guzman, the author of Yummy, Mommy! Healthy Eating for Your Picky Eater. Tricel, a self-professed homemaker who loves to cook, says that it was her daughter who inspired her to write her book.

In a 2014 interview with Amanda Griffin-Jacob, Tricel gives a brief description of her cookbook:

"[Yummy, Mommy! is]a new cookbook I created especially for parents who are looking for ways to get their picky kids to eat right. The book’s kid-approved recipes were thoughtfully created with the picky eaters’ nutrient needs in mind, with chapter titles such as High Calcium Foods; Proteins and Iron-Rich Foods, etc. With more than 50 easy-to-follow recipes, armed with practical tips and helpful advice from other moms, this book aims to turn picky eaters into good eaters."

I was able to ask Tricel via e-mail about how to get kids to eat more healthy foods in a "fun" way, and why young kids should be allowed to "play" with their food. Here is her answer:

"At a very young age, the food that we feed our children affects their bodies both mentally and physically in a very significant way -- especially at an age when they are growing exponentially.  

"Children who do not eat right could often show suboptimal mental performance, impaired physical growth, and are more likely to get sick and have low levels of energy. 

"What's more, shaping your kids' healthy eating habits now will definitely affect your children's health and wellbeing in the future."

Healthy foods that kids can play with

Photo courtesy of phaitoon (FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

For starters, Tricel recommends that parents try giving their kids the following healthy foods to play with (and eat, of course!):

1. Whole grain slice of bread or whole grain pancake

"Let your child make it into an art canvas," Tricel advises. Have your kid put a "smiley face" on it using other food, or create shapes with it using cookie cutters.

2. Nuts

These serve as a healthy snack, and kids can play with them by throwing them in the air and trying to catch them with their mouths.

(Note: Make sure that your child is not allergic to nuts though, and that he/she is old enough to eat them, as they may pose a choking hazard for younger children.)

3. Boiled egg

"Release your child's creative imagination with an egg," Tricel says. You can turn a boiled egg into a mouse, a rabbit or even a snowman using a few other ingredients from your pantry.

4. Cheese slices (especially mozzarella)

Tricel says that baking the slices will turn them into gooey and stringy cheese. "Kids love to play with cheese that can stretch on and on," she adds.

5. Spaghetti noodles

Opt for the healthier, whole-grain version of spaghetti noodles, and turn them into rainbow-colored noodles by dipping them in kid-friendly food coloring.

Dealing with picky eaters can be the cause of many headaches for us parents but with a bit of creativity, a lot of patience, and a little help from moms like Tricel, getting our children started on the road to healthy eating can be a whole lot easier.

How do you get your kids to eat healthy foods? Share your tips with us by leaving a comment below, or getting in touch with me. I’d love to hear from you!