Patient's question:
My child is six years old this year. He is very picky about food and basically only eats pickled vegetables for three meals a day, so he is underweight. I worry that malnutrition will affect his development.What methods can be used to improve his picky eating problem?
Doctor's answer:
Sure, here is the translation of the provided content into English, with the original Chinese line breaks preserved:---
Trick 1: Relax
Children aged 1-3 have unstable eating habits. Parents can observe over several days to discover their average daily food intake. If a child doesn’t eat well for two days, don’t hurry. In a couple of days, he will make up for it by eating more.
Trick 2: Firm but Not Coercive
If a child refuses to eat because the food doesn’t suit his taste, parents can take the food away and let him wait for the next meal. Do not give snacks between meals to teach him that only by eating properly can he be full. Praise him when he behaves well. Gradually, the child will develop good eating habits.
Trick 3: Gather as a Family
The atmosphere of eating together is very contagious. If you eat deliciously, he will also feel hungry. At the beginning, have one or two foods on the table that he loves. Gradually, the child will accept a variety of foods.
Trick 4: Cultivate New Tastes
If a child eats only one favorite food every day, it can lead to malnutrition. We need to cultivate his interest in new foods. Choose one meal to serve his favorite food, while the other two meals offer different options. On one hand, the child’s habits are satisfied. Between two foods he dislikes, choosing one will not cause. Whichever he chooses, it is a new attempt, which is a step forward.
Trick 5: Play a Clever Game
Who can eat faster? Bite the small into a crescent shape. See who has fewer in their plate.