It’s the same old story: Mommy prepares veggies; the child says no. Mommy chases, cajoles, and pleads; the child cries, and finally mommy relents and prepares… hotdogs.
It’s a struggle that’s repeated across Filipino households nationwide; in fact, it may even be happening right now in your own home. And the results so far? Well, ‘french fries’ have overtaken carrots and malunggay as the top vegetable for children. (Time Magazine, ‘Rethinking First Foods, published July 11, 2006)
Children worldwide are increasingly turning into picky eaters. Picky eating is a behavior that can be ended by better equipping and educating parents and guardians on the issue, and supporting them with quality milk supplements such as Aqiva. In fact, a 2009 TNS Global Market Research survey reveals that 53% of Filipino mothers consider their children as picky eaters. And, heads up, there’s so much more to picky eating than just craving hotdogs or fried chicken—it’s a battle that may determine your child’s nutritional future.
The term “picky eater” is one of the most frequently used terms by health professionals in characterizing the eating behavior of some children. In Filipino, these children are described as “mapili o maselan” when it comes to food.
Its most common identifiers are:
• The child consumes a limited number or an inadequate variety of food, and/or exhibits strong food preferences;
• The child is unwilling to try new food (food neophobia); and
• The child eats slowly, lacks interest, and/or does not eat enough.
Food acceptance or rejection may be based on the qualities of food such as taste, texture, appearance, smell, or temperature. In extreme cases, there are even times when entire food groups are avoided!
Click here to learn more about facts when it comes to children's picky eating.
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Read on to learn more about facts when it comes to children's picky eating.
Many parents have come to rely on snacks eaten on the go, which tend to be salty, sweet, or otherwise unhealthy. At mealtimes, moms will provide "kid food," easy-to-prepare child-pleasers like ice cream, chicken nuggets, and pizza. Based on the 6th National Nutrition Survey, softdrinks top the list of the most commonly consumed item of 6 month – 5 year old children.
With this, it’s no wonder that in the US, 26% of 2-5 year old kids are at the risk of becoming overweight and a full 14% are already overweight. Some doctors even point out that they see babies as young as 10 months old being overweight—an instance that would have been unthinkable, say, 15 years ago.
More than obesity however, other dietary red flags ensue when parents of picky eaters give in to the call of serving the so-called “child-pleasers.”
Research shows that diets of young children may be deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. A child who refuses to eat fruits and vegetables in the long run may develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as anemia or vitamin A deficiency. Here in the Philippines, the Food and Nutrition Institute (FNRI) has reported that Filipino picky eaters are at-risk for the following nutrients: Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron and Zinc.
Possible Causes of Picky Eating
4 to 7-year-old kids may be trying to assert their autonomy and independence with their choice of foods. They may also be influenced by the example set by their caregiver or parent. It’s expected, though, that with age, they will become less picky.
Some children will exhibit picky eating depending on their moods. Some will have the adequate amounts for certain nutrients, but will be inadequate when it comes to the other essential nutrients, which still shows a case of malnutrition.
“Look, I prepared ice cream, chicken nuggets, and pizza for breakfast!”
Many parents come to rely on snacks eaten on the go, which tend to be salty, sweet, or otherwise unhealthy. At mealtimes, moms will provide "kid food," easy-to-prepare child-pleasers like ice cream, chicken nuggets, and pizza. Based on the 6th National Nutrition Survey, softdrinks top the list of the most commonly consumed item of 6 month – 5 year old children.
Click here to learn more about your options as parent to a picky eater.
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Read on to learn more about your options as parent to a picky eater.
Reclaim Your Child’s Dietary Future
Clearly, there’s more to ‘picky eating’ than meets the eye—it represents potential health problems for your child, not only in the present, but also in the future. 
A Handy Helper in Supplementing Picky Eaters’ Nutrition
As parents, we only want what’s best for our children. Providing them with the proper nutrition during their formative years is very important because it will help them function better as they grow up.
“It’s very important for children to get the nutrition that they need at an early age,” shares Carlo de la Paz, Aqiva brand manager. “According to research, kids’ diets of picky eating kids may be deficient in essential vitamins and minerals. If a child avoids healthy food, then he or she misses an excellent source of essential nutrients. This can affect his or her development.”
With this in mind, leading nutritionals brand Wyeth is introducing new Aqiva, a powdered milk drink for children 4-7 years old. Aqiva provides the ideal caloric distribution for your child with high quality macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats that’s all within RENI (Recommended Energy and Nutrient intake) levels.
De la Paz further shares that the quality of macronutrients is another area that Aqiva can be proud of. “We all know that not all fat or protein can be considered as ‘good fats’ or ‘good proteins.” Aqiva gets its fat from an all-vegetable source whereas its protein contains high quality whey protein which is easily absorbed and tolerated by young children.
Thus, Aqiva may help give your child a better, healthier future, by providing him or her better nutrition.
Picky eating is a behavior that can be ended by better equipping and educating parents and guardians on the issue.
You may also want to read:
• “My children prefer to eat the same food every meal. What should I do?”
• “Parents Control over Kids’ Diet May Be Creating Fussy Eaters”
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