Parenting can be full of the biggest joys as well as struggles, and chances are if you’re a parent, you’ve had to deal with a picky son or daughter when it comes to eating. 

Viewer Question from Sarah:

My two-year-old daughter used to love eating all different types of food.  She recently has become really picky, and thinks it’s funny to throw food!  Any tips on how to make meal times more enjoyable for her and less stressful for us?

Nanny Robina came by to chat with guest host Frank Ferragine about how to deal with the picky eaters in your life. 

First things first, children will go through phases where they will pick and choose what they like or don’t like.

Picking up the food and spoon feeding your child will do more harm than good.  The key to resolving the “fussy-eater phase” is to not take the food away.  If your son or daughter doesn’t like broccoli now, he or she may end up liking it down the road.  Parents make the mistake of isolating the food that their child shows initial dislike to.  Nanny Robina says never take the food out of the child’s diet – phase it back in slowly – perhaps over two days, or two weeks.

To resolve the food throwing issue, if your child throws food, take the plate away.  Wait for them to be distracted, and put one piece of the food back.  Never give up, and don’t narrow down your child’s diet – it simply cuts down on the diversity of the food they eat – in turn creating an even pickier eater. 

Remember to be persistent with your child, and you’ll be on the right track to dealing with your picky eater.