Your Toddler Won’t Eat Without a TV or iPad? Here’s How We Cut it Out
If you're a parent, you're certainly aware of how difficult it is to get your children to put down their devices and restrict their screen time. While the pandemic has undoubtedly increased the number of hours each child spends in front of a computer, the largest challenge you may encounter is getting your child to eat. You know what we're talking about if your child refuses to take a piece of food off the plate without glancing at the television or their favourite show on the tablet. Parents may struggle to decide whether to let their children watch television instead of eating properly or to deal with grumpiness at the dinner table.
What's the big deal about mealtime distractions?
I'm sure you have a solid reason for allowing books, TV, or the iPad during mealtimes. Many of us use this method to persuade our children to consume certain meals or in certain amounts. Despite the fact that this is a regular lunchtime scenario, it is frequently a symptom of a parental agenda or mealtime pressure. And this is significant because:
• Control and pressure at mealtimes are the outcomes of a lack of confidence when it comes to food. Because they are going through a fussy phase, have inconsistent eating patterns, are smaller than their siblings, or have a history of growth issues, some children are more difficult to trust than others. Distracting children in order to get food into them is not a good idea in the long run.
• Distracting ourselves when eating stops us from listening to our bodies. That's why children who aren't trusted around food will likely grow up to be adults who can't tell when they're truly hungry or just satisfied.
• A child who is engrossed in television or books is not fully participating in family mealtime, whereas you, as a parent, may not have time to eat at all because you are reading or preparing for a movie.
How can you avoid using a screen during meals?
As per child nutrition experts, these following tips will really help you feed your child without turning on the TV. These suggestions help ensure that your child receives appropriate nutrition and eats without fuss over time.
1. When possible, make mealtime a regular family thing.
Making mealtime a family event is the number one rule for teaching children the concept of healthy, distraction-free eating. Set an example for your toddler to learn about the social components of eating and dining together. Demonstrate that you enjoy your food by finishing it to encourage your toddler to do so. He'll undoubtedly follow your lead. Make it a point to have family meals to educate your child on the value of sharing a meal with his or her family. No matter how much fuss you make, eat your meals at the dinner table rather than on your lap, and turn off all distractions like the TV and cell phone.
2. Allow your toddler to burn energy through games or exercise.
Low appetite is a common reason why toddlers fuss at mealtime and demand that the TV be turned on. They are focusing on diversions rather than eating because they are not hungry enough. It is critical that toddlers get ample exercise or energy burn for their appetite to be healthy. Allow your toddler to go for a quick run in the park or enrol him/her in swimming lessons if he/she is old enough. Everyday workouts will help your toddler's metabolism and thus make him/her feel hungry. It is quiet more manageable with
nursery and day-care going kids.
3. Organize a Food Battle
You can challenge your toddler to an eating contest by setting up a fun eating contest (As
kindergarten and day-care,
preschool day-care trending upon this approach) on the table. For example, the person who finishes the salad in 5 minutes while eating it thoroughly receives an extra 5 minutes on the playground. A contest will keep your child's attention on the meal rather than the television. But don't make it a habit; otherwise the child will refuse to eat unless there's a contest and a prize!
4. Limit Snacking Between Meals.
Snacking between meals is a leading cause of children's bad eating habits at mealtime! As a general rule, don't give him/her full snacks in between meals because this will suppress his/her appetite. To keep him/her going, give him/her a piece of fruit, soup, or salad. Also, don't force him/her to complete his meal quickly; instead, give him/her time to chew and eat. Allow him/her to sit with the food for no more than 30 minutes.
5. Take part in grocery shopping and cooking with your child.
This is an excellent way to increase your child's involvement and interest in food(kindergarten and day-care will help you more in adopting this approach). Allow your child to assist you with grocery shopping and cooking. Shopping for vegetables and enlist their assistance in the kitchen by requiring them to wash the food and stir every now and then. This will encourage them to eat the food because they assisted in its preparation.
That concludes our discussion. By implementing these appetite-stimulating ideas into their daily routine, many mothers have been able to get their children to eat a well-balanced and nutritious meal. It will take time, patience, and perseverance—but as mothers, we have plenty of all three!
