How to Convince a Child to Eat Dinner

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Ask your child why they will not eat.

   If they give you a legitimate answer, try to solve the problem.
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   Step 2: If they do not have a legitimate answer

   Tell them how eating healthy dinners will help them to grow up healthy.
   
   Tell them that, when they eat dinner, they will have more energy to play. ,,,, If you don't finish the meal as the parent, then the kids think its fine to do the same.
   
   As the adult, kids will always see it from the angle that you should know better. , They might like a certain colour, pattern, or something that shows their TV hero.
   
   Get a set per child, plus a spare in case it goes missing.
   
   They can be quite cheap to find from large discount stores. , You are the parent, but aim for a healthy balance. , Turn off the TVs and get the toys out of sight.
   
   There is a trade off however, the more boring a meal is, the more likely they will want to leave.
   
   Playing soft music in the background can be a good alternative. , Have everyone eat together as a family.
   
   This can make dinner time a better experience for your child if they are with loved ones. , Even if they sit eating in a games room away from the table (and this should be considered as a big treat), healthy food still gets eaten if you serve it.
   
   That way if the group eats nothing, it may show that not eating is a peer pressure problem. , But only if they eat their dinner with out a fight.
   
   Do not give in and give them the treat anyway if they complain. , You can also serve bread and meat and allow them to make their own open sandwiches.
   
   This gets a serve of fruits and veggies in without it looking like a healthy meal. , It's no fun sitting there if the rest of the family has eaten their food and is back to playing.
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   Step 3: talk to your child on the importance of nutrition.

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   Step 4: Organise ground rules

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   Step 5: they want to leave the table A.S.A.P and do stuff

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   Step 6: you want them to finish their meal

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   Step 7: make sure both you and your child know where you stand.

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   Step 8: Get them involved in cooking

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   Step 9: if they can decorate their own food with pastry or cheese slices cut into shapes

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    Step 10: or just placing the food and sauces to make funny faces it's far more interesting for them.

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    Step 11: Make dishes they like occasionally as a treat - they might like burgers and chips/french fries

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    Step 12: but a tasty healthy burger with oven baked seasoned wedges goes down just as well and can be healthy.

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    Step 13: Avoid any double standards yourself.

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    Step 14: On some children it works well to get personalized cutlery

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    Step 15: plates etc.

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    Step 16: Avoid bribing

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    Step 17: begging or shouting

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    Step 18: especially in front of guests.

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    Step 19: Get rid of all distractions at dinner time.

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    Step 20: Have family dinners.

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    Step 21: Allow them to have friends over for dinner.

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    Step 22: Promise dessert or some other treat that your child will enjoy.

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    Step 23: A very simple entrée that kids enjoy is finger food - cut fruits and vegetables with a flavoured cream cheese or yogurt dip.

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    Step 24: Keep them at the table until they are done and be sure they know that is part of the rules.

Detailed Guide

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