Have you ever rushed through your morning, only to come to a sudden halt when your child refuses to eat breakfast? It can be incredibly frustrating because you know he needs fuel for the day ahead, but every attempt ends in tears or stubborn silence. It’s a situation that you’ve experienced countless times, leaving you wondering how to bridge the gap between your children’s dislikes and their nutritional needs.
You’re not alone. Food refusal is typically referred to as picky eating. It’s quite common for children to struggle with this. Whether it’s because of the taste, color, or texture of certain foods, kids may develop strong aversions. As parents or caregivers, this can make mealtime incredibly challenging. However, it’s important to keep in mind that for children who have experienced trauma, their reluctance to eat certain foods may be a symptom of a deeper issue.
Reasons Your Child May Be Having a Hard Time Eating
- Sensory Issues: Children react based on senses, so if the food is mushed together or certain colors trigger negative reactions, they may become overwhelmed.
- History with Food: Past experiences such as food scarcity or limited options can deeply influence a child’s relationship with food.
- Emotional Triggers: Unhealthy food habits can sometimes stem from stress or anxiety. Understanding these triggers is key to finding solutions.
3 Ways to Help Overcome the Food Fight
Get the children involved in meal planning
- Have a family meeting to discuss likes and dislikes.
- Set baselines for nutrients and food groups.
- Invite your kids to help with meal preparation. Love Beyond Measure is perfect for this.
Bring in the educational aspect
- Connect food choices to their overall health and well-being.
- Remind them of their body as a temple created by a loving God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
- Teach children about the importance of nutrition. Meal Mix-up creates a great opportunity for this.
Communicate and understand
- Explore underlying issues that may contribute to food sensitivities.
- Identify the roots of food sensitivities.
- Help them develop healthier coping skills beyond food.
- Ask questions and listen actively to your child’s concerns. Our Stuffed! helps guide these conversations.
- If these sensitivities are severe and affect a child’s overall health, consider consulting with an occupational therapist, mental health therapist, or allergist.
Key Takeaway
Food should be a source of joy and nourishment, not stress. By approaching mealtimes with empathy and creativity, you can help your child build a positive relationship with food. Children from challenging backgrounds crave stability and a sense of control—mealtime offers an opportunity to provide both.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Application
If you need help to transform mealtime, our ‘Mealtime’ Everyday Moments™ activities help you do exactly that!
Enjoy a fun-filled and trauma-informed time with your child through each of the activities we shared.
Want more? Check out HopeConnect™ Everyday Moments™ library to help you and your children thrive through the Hope of God’s Word.
