Getting off to a good start
Food habits begin at an early age and have lifelong implications. Good nutrition is essential for physical and emotional growth. A poorly nourished child may be restless, irritable, or more withdrawn than a well-nourished child. Limited food choices may prevent a child from having the nutrients or energy needed to promote growth and development in mental, social, and physical activities.
Common Eating Patterns
These descriptions illustrate how a child’s normal changes and growth patterns affect eating habits. These swings in behavior and growth rate can explain many of the diffi culties parents experience during development of a child’s eating patterns.
1 to 2 years
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Appetite drops as growth slows
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Learns to drink from cup, usually is weaned
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May cut back to about 2 cups of milk daily
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Learns to bring food to mouth with spoon
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Likes to feed self but will likely need some help
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Copies others and will eat many family foods
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Cutting teeth and may have diffi culty chewing
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Has acute taste buds and can detect slight differences in foods
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Develops likes and dislikes; likes sweet foods
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Likes to touch and play with food; responds to food texture
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Learns to say “No” and becomes more independent
2 to 3 years
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Has much improved muscle control; can use spoon and fork easily
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Often desires and requests desserts and sweets
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Will wait a little for requests to be fi lled
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Usually will eat raw vegetables but may refuse salads
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Finds green vegetables more acceptable
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Can make simple either/or food choices: “Would you like a peach or pear?”
4 to 5 years
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May return to food jags or go on food “strikes”
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Influenced by others: other children, television ads, teachers, etc.
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Likes plain cooking and foods separated on the plate
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Dislikes most mixed food dishes and gravies
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By age 5, often has fewer demands and will accept food available
- Appetite is gradually increasing
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