Do you find yourself preparing a delicious dinner only to find out all your child wants to eat is a bowl of plain pasta? This is more common than you think and is actually OK. Kids are growing and often crave foods that will give them quick satisfying energy. They are less interested in eating than in doing stuff. In the long term, we want children to eat a variety of foods and have a healthy relationship with food and eating. So how do we get there and navigate the way through the “pasta phase”.
Our top tips:
- Offer a variety of foods – if your family likes pasta it is OK to include this as a meal a few times a week. But don’t fall into the habit of only serving or offering pasta every night because you know they will eat it. Yes, they may not be completely happy with all the family food offered. But this is how they will learn to eat more variety over time. Make sure there is always something on the table they like (even if it’s just bread or potatoes).
- Try wholegrain types – this can be a simple way to increase variety and extra fibre.
- Keep offering new foods – don’t give up. One day they will surprise you. You can try offering pasta with a variety of toppings for example Bolognese sauce, pesto or tomato pasta sauce.
- Offer new foods alongside the ‘safe’ food like pasta. Children often start out with plain pasta. But, over time they may enjoy a cheese topping and then a pasta and Bolognese meal.
- Don’t make a fuss of it – this behaviour is very common and for most children it will be a phase. Given time and no pressure it is natural for children to expand the foods they eat.
- Consider what else your child has eaten in the day. This may make you feel less worried about their nutrition. It may be pasta and cheese for dinner. Yet, over the day, your child may have had more variety. They may have had foods like fruit, vegetables, bread, milk and a meat or alternative at lunch or snack time.
- One of the best ways children learn about food and eating is watching you. Eat together as much as you can and eat a variety of foods. Read more about family eating
We know some children are fussier with food than others. If you are worried or want some help talk to your child health nurse.