Calm, creative mealtimes can ease picky eating in young children

Why children become picky and what to avoid

Clinical nutrition specialist Dr. Nour Qahwaji told Enab Baladi that picky eating is a common developmental phase often tied to a child’s growing independence or sensitivity to tastes and textures, not necessarily an underlying medical issue. She warned that pressuring, threatening, or bribing children to eat — including offering sweets as a reward — can turn meals into battlegrounds and make aversions worse by associating food with stress.

Practical steps parents can use

Qahwaji recommends creating a calm, family-centered mealtime where children learn by watching others, presenting food attractively, and offering several healthy choices so the child can pick what they want. Involving kids in food preparation, cutting fruits and vegetables into fun shapes, and serving easy-to-accept options (baked potato, small chicken pieces, rice with grated vegetables, various egg preparations, or fruit with yogurt/peanut butter) can increase curiosity and willingness to taste. She also suggests smoothies with milk, fruit and oats or dates, keeping regular meal routines, and limiting between-meal snacks. Changing eating habits takes time and repetition, but with patience and a balanced approach picky eating is usually a temporary stage, as reported by Enab Baladi