"My 2yo only eats toast and snacks. I feel defeated at mealtime."

A parent of a picky eater reached out to our #AskTheVillage community for advice.

Dealing with a fussy eater can be challenging and it’s a problem faced by many parents, according to Better Health.

As a parent, it’s our job to provide a range of healthy and nutritious meals to our kids, so when food refusal kicks in, it can be a worry. Always seek advice from your healthcare professional for your child’s specific needs.

Concerned with her child only eating snack foods, a parent wrote in to our #AskTheVillage for their expert tips.

“Parents with picky eaters, I need your advice. My 2yo will only eat toast and snack foods,” she began her post.

“I feel defeated at mealtime. Her weight is healthy and normal for her age but I’m worried I’m setting her up for a bad relationship with food as she gets older.”Pleading with the Bounty Parents parenting community for advice, the parent finished the post writing: “Any advice is appreciated.”

The #AskTheVillage community is bursting with parents who have been through fussy eating issues with their kids and thankfully had plenty of advice to share.

“We are the same! I just give her what she eats and try new things here and there. She won’t get them though but keep trying. Eventually they’ll change and start eating a variety of different foods,” encouraged one mum.

Another parent added: “My 2yo was the same! I was so worried and got two good pieces of advice. The healthcare nurse said not to have any snacks etc in the house and make sure they were only ‘out of home’ foods, plus the paediatrician helped us work on adding new foods/offering new foods to his routines and made sure to model good eating when we could.”

“Other parents suggested the concerned mum look into a nutritional supplement of some sort, to help her child get enough vitamins and nutrients.“Get the Doc to give you the ok and then could try to add a supplement drink that has added nutrition. That will make you feel better when she doesn’t eat a lot/healthy food,” suggested one mum.

Another added: “Keep trying different nutritious foods. Just because they don’t like something one day doesn’t mean that they don’t like it for life! I found that supplementing my boy’s nutrition with a supplement really helped take the pressure off.”

She finished: “When I wasn’t so stressed about my boy eating the right food, I found he came to it himself much easier.”

Scroll down to read tips for a fussy eater…

AptaGrow is a nutrient-dense milk supplement for fussy eaters. (Image: Getty)

Tips for dealing with a picky eater

1. Make mealtimes enjoyable and stress-free. Avoid pressuring your child to eat or making negative comments about their food choices.
2. Provide a range of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy products. Children might be more willing to try new things when they have options. Be patient and persistent – it can take multiple exposures to new foods before they’re accepted.
3. Ask your healthcare professional about introducing a milk supplement for fussy eaters. AptaGrow is a nutrient-dense drink specifically designed to address potential nutritional deficiencies associated with fussy eating. It also helps to take the stress out of mealtimes for parents of fussy eaters.*
   Only 1 serve a day is required to offer 1/3 of the recommended dietary intake of key nutrients**, such as iron, zinc and vitamin D. What’s more, AptaGrow has no added sugar, is unflavoured and is designed not to spoil their appetite – leaving room for children to eat whole foods.
4. Engage your child in meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. Allowing them to contribute to the planning of meals will help increase their interest in trying new foods.
5. Offer healthy snacks. While you encourage your child to eat their main meals, be sure to offer
   healthy snacks for in-between times, like vegetables, yoghurt, or wholegrain crackers. Having a
   regular meal/snack routine may help optimise your child’s appetite.

If you have any concerns about your child’s nutrition or eating habits, meet with a paediatrician or a
dietitian who specialises in paediatric nutrition who will help you develop a healthy eating plan.

Remember that every child is unique, and progress may be slow at times. Stay patient, maintain a
positive attitude, and celebrate small victories along the way. You’ve got this!

_{*After 4 weeks of using AptaGrow vs control. Survey of 64 parents commissioned by Nutricia, 2022.
**Based on the NHMRC nutrient reference values.}

Brought to you by AptaGrow.
_{AptaGrow is a Food for Special Medical Purposes for use under medical supervision.}

Important notice: Any advice on #AskTheVillage is general only and should not be substituted for
medical advice. Always seek and follow advice from a medical professional in relation to any
health issues or concerns you may have.