It’s final exam time and most moms are probably in a reviewing frenzy along with their school kids. Many come armed with mock exams, flash cards, and workbooks, ready to take on whatever the teacher will dish out.

But many are also forgetting that whatever preparations they make, it will never be complete without giving their kids healthy meals to supercharge those brain cells.  One big problem is that there are many kids who are classified as picky eaters or hard-to-feed. But even parents, whose kids are not so picky, may still not be getting the full deal from their food.

Many are picky

According to studies done by Abbott Nutrition in the US, more than half of kids, 1 to 6 years old, are considered hard-to-feed by their moms. An analysis of 173 kids in the 7 to 9 age range also shows that nearly one-half of the 9-year-olds are considered hard-to-feed too.

In the local setting, a study done with 200 Pinoy moms shows that 67 percent of mothers consider their kids picky eaters and that this eating behavior is concern Numero Uno because it affects their children’s physical development.   

These findings were bared by visiting Nutrition specialist Geraldine Georgeou, who says that a hard-to-feed child runs the risk of having health problems because of nutritional deficiencies. One of the most serious of these deficiencies is iron deficiency, which may impact intellectual development. A deficiency in Calcium and Vitamin D can also affect bone growth and physical development. A lack of Vitamins A and C and Zinc can influence the immune function, making kids more susceptible to illness. Children who have these nutrient deficiencies have also been found to exhibit emotional and social problems such as aversion to touch, lethargy, and disinterest in playing and learning.

Wake-up call

But even kids who are not exactly hard-to-feed may not be getting the right amount of nutrients. My kids, for example.

Georgeau invited this writer to share what her kids are eating for the day, particularly the almost 2-year-old bunso. As a home-based working mom, I am very particular about what I serve on the table, so I was quite confident that my meals were, at best, adequate.

Here’s what I shared with the group: For breakfast, they would have chicken lugaw, one of their new favorites; morning snack would be a couple of chocolate sandwich cookies; for lunch, sinigang na bangus with mango for dessert; afternoon snack would be home-fried banana fritters; and for dinner, again sinigang and mangoes.

Georgeau approved most of the choices, except the cookies, which she suggested may be served with milk. And when her tabulation came up, she said that nutrient-wise, they do get the required vitamins and micronutrients except for iron, which could be sourced from red meat or a fortified milk drink. Imagine that! She, then, advised me to make an effort to include iron in their diets, at least two to three times a week, as a lack of this nutrient can cause a decrease in appetite.

Food rules

During her talk, Georgeau shared some valuable tips and insights on getting your kids to (literally) open up.

“You must remember that kids have better taste buds than adults because as we grow older, our taste buds tend to die out. That is why we like some foods better when we are grownups than when we were kids. But that doesn’t mean you should stop trying to get your kids to eat right.”

She gives these food rules for moms with picky kids: 

1. Sneak it in

Offer one new food at a time, in small portions at first. Also, introduce unfamiliar food by pairing it with something familiar. You can also sneak in nutritious foods into their favorites like in pizzas or burgers, which are definitely healthier when they are home-cooked.

2. No to junk

Limit their access to high-calorie, high fat foods.

3. Make food fun!

Try to alter the form of their food by using fun shapes or presenting it in a special way. For instance, prepare heart-shaped carrots and potatoes.

4. Get them to concentrate

Make mealtimes relaxed. Don’t allow distractions such as toys or the TV. While you are at it, make a schedule for mealtimes and stick with it.

5. Do not bribe

Resist giving your child sweets as a reward to encourage him to eat because that will set off another unwanted eating behavior.

6. More choices

Focus on the five basic food groups, and offer a variety of nutritious food options.

7. Get them involved

Involve your child by bringing him to the grocery, letting him help you cook, or letting him set the table. While you are spending time together, you can educate your child about how certain foods can help him be strong and healthy.

8. Set a good example

“Parents are responsible for being role models on what, when, and where children eat,” Georgeau reminds.