5 Easy Ways to Handle Picky Eaters While Homeschooling

Looking for some simple ways to handle picky eaters? You’re not alone.

A picky eating phase is very common for children. But it’s an especially common reality of ADHD, anxiety, or Autism in older kids.

If your child is a picky eater, the best thing you can is to create a supportive environment for them at the table.

Whether you normally homeschool your child or are doing so temporarily, think of this time as an opportunity to help your child develop a healthier relationship with food.

Here are 5 easy ways to handle picky eaters.

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1. Cut Down on Snacks

If your child has traditionally been in school outside the home, then they may be used to filling up on lots of unapproved foods. With homeschoolers, moms tend to be the gatekeepers of the snacks.

Often picky eating habits are made worse by the availability of snacks throughout the day, so cut down on snacking and see if it helps.

When your child is getting full of chips and cookies in the afternoon, is it really any surprise that they don’t want to eat broccoli at dinner?

When you keep your child’s snacking to a minimum, they will be hungrier and more inclined to eat healthier meals.

And if you need a time-saver, Yumble is a great option. They’re especially great for kids with special diets as they offer include vegan, gluten-free, and milk-free options.   

2. Ask Your Child to Help in the Kitchen

Often, kids don’t like what is unfamiliar to them. If a food seems out of the ordinary in color, texture, or smell, they might refuse to eat it.

One way of demystifying their food is to have your kids help out in the kitchen.

Show them the ingredients you are going to use. Let them mix together a salad or add broccoli to their mac and cheese.

When they are involved in the preparation and not just given kids meals out of a box, they may be more willing to try new foods.

3. Host a Game Night at Dinner

Here’s a fun way to handle picky eaters. Healthy kids have fun at the dinner table and enjoy the experience of eating. While you may not love the idea of playing games at the dinner table, it can be a huge help to picky eaters.

When kids feel stressed or pressured at the table, they will eat less and associate the table with negative feelings.

Make sure this doesn’t happen by creating a space of joy and excitement for them.

As a way of making dinner time more fun, try hosting a game night using games that the whole family can play. For example, play telephone, Guess Who, or UNO.

4. Don’t Give Up

According to research conducted by Healthy Families British Columbia, it can take children up to thirty times to decide whether they actually like a new food.

Don’t give up trying to serve them something after just a few tries. Serve the new food with foods that are already familiar to them and with foods they love so that they feel more comfortable.

Cook the new food in different ways to see if you can make it more appealing. 

Homeschooling a child with special needs takes a lot of patience. It also takes support from others and the ability to stay flexible and focused when it comes to serving meals.

Encouraging a nutritious diet in a picky eater isn’t always easy, but it is very important to their growth and development.

5. Patience is Key

If your child has ADHD or Autism, speak to their doctor about what and when they are eating so you can come up with a meal schedule that works for everyone.

In the end, not every child will like everything you give them! As parents of kids with special needs know very well, every child is unique and special in their own way.

Expanding your child’s comfort with food, as well as their diet, will take time and patience.

It’s important to not get discouraged and frustrated as change will come. Good luck!

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