It’s hard not to hear a mother complain about her children’s eating habits—unless you’re that mother yourself, lol. Children’s nutrition is one of the main concerns for parents, and when a child is picky about eating and refuses to accept a wide variety of foods, things get even more complicated. People often say that a child who eats everything is a blessing, since those who don’t eat well end up driving their parents mad with worry. That’s why some strategies and methods have been developed to help deal with this difficulty, beat the lack of appetite, and make kids more interested in mealtime.
There are two main factors that explain why children develop poor appetites and make things difficult for parents. A child may have a reduced appetite because of psychological issues, such as anxiety, distress, or even depression, often due to emotional reasons. The other factor is physical—usually related to a health problem, with anemia being the most common, and its main symptom is a lack of appetite. The use of certain medications can also suppress children’s appetites, causing them to drastically reduce their food intake, if not refuse to eat altogether.
What should be a peaceful, sacred time to eat often turns into a real battle, with lots of crying, shouting, and tantrums. But how can you handle this without losing your temper and finally resolve the situation? Instead of yelling and forcing your child to eat something they don’t want, try setting an example. Good family eating habits are valuable examples for little ones, who may get curious when they see someone enjoying a certain food. For lazy kids or those who don’t want to stop playing to eat, try using a reward tactic. Calmly ask them to pause what they’re doing to eat and mix foods they like with others. Promising a dessert they enjoy can also help. Remember, sweets shouldn’t be offered every day—choose fruit and healthier desserts whenever possible.
Another great tactic to attract children’s interest in food and stimulate appetite is to invite them to help with cooking and preparing meals. How about asking for help to plan the dinner menu? Let them wash the vegetables and pick each ingredient. Kids like to try things they helped make, and this could be the key to overcoming their lack of appetite. Besides that, set regular times for each meal and don’t allow snacking between meals. Meals shouldn’t be eaten in front of the TV or computer, as distractions take away their attention from the food on the plate.
Appetite-Stimulating Vitamins for Children
For generations, miracle recipes to boost children’s appetites have been used. Homemade concoctions or medications were given to open appetites and ensure children ate properly. But is this the right thing to do? Does it really help children overcome poor appetite and eat well? According to pediatricians, a child’s lack of appetite should be investigated before starting any kind of treatment, since this symptom could result from a health problem that could be masked by taking appetite-boosting vitamins. Remember, children go through phases, one of which is refusing some foods or eating less. It’s not always a cause for concern. If you notice anything unusual, or if the lack of appetite lasts a long time, consult your pediatrician and work together to figure out what’s happening. Never, ever, under any circumstance, buy or give your child an appetite-boosting vitamin just because your friend, neighbor, or co-worker gave one to their child and it worked. Every treatment should be carried out under medical supervision!
Most appetite-boosting vitamins contain iron. Taking this nutrient without need can harm health, such as causing accumulation in the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, undermining their function. Specialists also conclude that excess intake of vitamin supplements may account for a large number of lung cancer cases in adulthood. So, only use medications, vitamins, and supplements if your pediatrician deems them necessary and monitors the treatment time, method, and dosage. There are plenty of vitamin supplements available over the counter at pharmacies, but caution and care when using medication is always the best way to prevent bigger problems than a child’s lack of appetite.
See also: Childhood Anemia – How to Combat It?
Photo: Ramon Abasolo
