Introduction to Picky Eaters
For many parents, mealtime can feel more like a hostage negotiation than a pleasant practice. The average American parent spends 67 hours per year — nearly three full days — bargaining with their children over food, according to a new survey. In those 67 hours, you could have napped, binge-watched TV or finally started that passion project. However, you spent all that time trying to keep your little one alive.
The Root of the Conflict
As you may have already guessed, vegetables are at the heart of the conflict. The survey of 2,000 American parents found that 44% worry their child’s pickiness over food negatively affects their nutrition. "The average parent strikes five bargains with their child per week, and dinner is the most common meal for kids to push back on, with kids around age 5 being the pickiest," reads an article on the survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SeaPak.
Common Reasons for Food Rejection
Parents — prepare to feel seen. The top reasons children reject food are:
- 37% — not wanting vegetables, or "I hate veggies!" in kid-speak
- 33% — not liking the smell, or "It’s stinky!"
- 32% — Not liking how it looks, or "It looks NASTY!"
- 14% — refusing to try something new, or "I don’t wanna!"
Winning Meals
And there’s no shame if you must compromise just to feed them, parents. Sometimes the illogical, difficult aggressors win. Some foods are nearly guaranteed wins. The most accepted meals are pizza (76%), chicken nuggets (73%), fries (72% and macaroni and cheese (66%). Seafood ranked respectably, with shrimp (32%) and fish sticks (31%) being reliable bargaining options.
Strategies for Dealing with Picky Eaters
Parents also use different strategies to cope with picky eating. "Many parents report trying to engage with their children rather than punishing them for pushback. Parents try getting their kids involved in meal preparation (36%) and introducing new foods gradually (34%)," the article reads. "They also try teaching children about the benefits of nutrition (28%), creating a positive, pressure-free mealtime environment (26%) and modeling positive behaviors by trying new ingredients for the first time with their kids (26%)."
Coping Mechanisms
In addition to these strategies, parents can also try to make mealtime more enjoyable by turning it into a game or a fun experience. This can include letting kids help with meal planning and grocery shopping, or even just having a special meal together as a family.
Conclusion
Mealtime negotiations can be a challenging and time-consuming aspect of parenting. However, by understanding the reasons behind picky eating and using effective strategies to cope, parents can make mealtime more enjoyable and ensure their children are getting the nutrients they need.
FAQs
- Q: How many hours do parents spend negotiating with their children over food?
A: Parents spend an average of 67 hours per year negotiating with their children over food. - Q: What are the top reasons children reject food?
A: The top reasons children reject food are not wanting vegetables, not liking the smell, not liking how it looks, and refusing to try something new. - Q: What are some effective strategies for dealing with picky eaters?
A: Effective strategies include getting kids involved in meal preparation, introducing new foods gradually, teaching children about the benefits of nutrition, and creating a positive mealtime environment.
