Feeding Time at the Zoo

Who knew peas were so sticky when masticated in little Jill’s mouth—then spit out, usually right at the wall (or you)? At least green is an easy colour to live with.

Toddlers—we love them, but admit it, we hate feeding them. It’s an initiation into parenthood that we all must suffer through. So, we’ve enlisted an expert, Lauren Davidson RD, SavvyMom’s featured dietician and mother of two toddlers, to share some tried and tested strategies (yes, she uses them at home too), on how to keep those spots off the wall:

1. Remember that you are dealing with a toddler who has not yet reached the “age of reason”. So, manage your expectations and don’t expect every meal (or food item) to go down smoothly.


2. Keep meal times structured. Have meals and snacks at the same time every day.


3. Morning and afternoon snacks are encouraged—just keep the timing regular and practice portion control. Starving the kids between meals does NOT get them to eat more at mealtime but WILL contribute to unwanted meltdowns.

4. Small portions are key. Do not overwhelm toddlers with too much food. You can give them more if they are still hungry.


5. Choice and variety on the plate helps keep up interest levels at mealtime. Keep introducing new foods. Just because they don’t like something one day, doesn’t mean they won’t the next.


6. Fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables, fruits and vegetables…include at least one of each with every meal.


7. Take the kids shopping and let them choose a new vegetable for dinner that night.


8. Sweets and treats are “sometimes foods” while fruits, veggies, whole grains etc. are “all the time foods”—teach your kids the difference.


9. Juice = sugar. Save it for a treat.


10. Eat with your children as often as you can. Your example is the most effective tool you have.

Finally, remember the Golden Rule, a.k.a. the Shared Responsibility of Eating, and don’t fight it: Parents decide what, when and where to eat. Children decide how much.

So next time the monkeys are hollering to be fed, put the face mask away. You’re now armed with these valuable tips instead.

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