Mealtime meltdowns: how to avoid

Get creative with presentation

Sometimes, it's all about how the food looks! Try arranging veggies in fun shapes or using colourful plates to make mealtime more enticing for your child.

Offer choices

Give your child a sense of autonomy by offering them choices. For example, ask if they'd like broccoli or peas with their meal, empowering them to make decisions about what they eat.

Lead by example

Children often mimic the behaviour of those around them, so let them see you enjoying a variety of nutritious foods. Make mealtime a family affair and sit down together to enjoy meals whenever possible.

Keep portions small

Young children have small stomachs, so avoid overwhelming them with large portions. Offer small, manageable servings and enable them to ask for more if they're still hungry.

Remain calm and patient (we know that is easier said than done!)

Mealtime battles can be frustrating but try to stay calm, if they aren’t eating everything, just take a breath and try again tomorrow. The calmer you are, the calmer they will be (hopefully). Patience is key, let them take their time, they may just come back around to the vegetable they’ve been dismissing. Avoid pressure tactics or bribes, as these can create negative associations with food.

Remember, every child is different, and it may take some (a lot) trial and error to find what works best for your family.