I am the mom to two very picky eaters.
Sigh.
My son has always been a picky eater and has had major issues with texture. He was (and is) that kid that gagged at every bite – every meal was a painful and scary experience. If it was too soft, he wouldn’t eat it. If it was too crunchy, he would spit it out. Year after year, we would hope that he would become more open to eating new things , or at least willing to try new things. It has been such a challenge, and still today there are entire food groups (vegetables) he basically won’t even touch. At the age of eight, he is more willing to try new things now, but he is missing out on a lot.
My youngest is also very difficult during meal times. She used to be much more open and willing to try new things as a babe, but no longer. She just wants to eat the same thing every single day – carbs and fruit. She won’t touch a vegetable unless it’s a potato, and basically shuns everything she should be eating. She’s also a big fan of sweets – which I’m okay with on occasion, but when she’s not eating what she should be eating during meals, I’m not okay with it.
Truly, this is just a glimpse into why mealtimes are very difficult at our house. I am constantly worrying about whether they’re eating healthy enough and if they’re getting all the vitamins they need for their bodies to properly function. And right now, I know they’re not.
Here’s where the importance of vitamins comes in for us. By making sure the kids take their vitamins every day, I can feel good about them getting vitamins they need while we struggle with their food issues. The Swiss Natural Total One Kids Multi Vitamin & Mineral Chewables are what I give my kids every morning before school. They’re chewable, they like the flavours and they’re willing to take them because they like them, so it’s a win for them and me.
Swiss Natural Total One Kids Vitamins have no artificial flavours or colours. No preservatives, dairy, gluten or wheat. Each bottle has three flavors and they also come with stickers and temporary tattoos which is a fun little bonus for young kids.
There is also a really fun contest going on right now on the Swiss Natural Facebook page called the Polar Pals Contest. Each of the three Total One Polar Pals are currently in need of names – make your name suggestions on the page and you could win a fab Family Fun Gaming Prize Pack worth $1000!!! The contest ends February 29, 2012 so make sure to enter before that!
I would love to hear about your trials and tribulations when it comes to feeding your kids and ensuring that they are getting everything they need. What are your tricks for getting your kids to eat the things they need to eat, but don’t necessarily want to eat. Do you give your kids vitamins as well?
*Disclaimer: This is my first post as a Swiss Naturals Ambassador and was compensated for this post, however my picky eaters and my opinions are my own.*
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My son is a picky eater when it comes to sweets, it has to be chocolate and only chocolate. No applesause for him, it’s an alien by-product apparently. My kids were always given vitamins when they were small but luckily they would eat all their veggies, meat, potatoes, etc. Now when they eat at a friends house even if they don’t like something they will eat a small portion to be polite.
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Catherine, all I can say is I WISH!!! Thanks so much for your comment!
We’ve been pretty lucky with our kids who seem to enjoy fruits and vegetables, so I’ve never given them vitamins. However, I’m thinking about it. Even though they have a fairly balanced diet I still wonder if they’re getting all the nutrients they need. In terms of getting kids to not be so picky? I don’t know the answer, sorry! For a while I got into a rut of making the same dinners each week, and then decided I didn’t want to do that anymore, and so for the past few weeks have been cooking things we’ve never eaten. Of course each new dish is met with grumbles: “what is this?” … “I don’t like it” … poking food around on the plate, etc. But I stick to my guns and tell them that if they don’t at least try it there won’t be anything else to eat (mean, I know). And surprisingly I’ve gotten them to eat a few things I thought they wouldn’t.
That’s great Sarah. I have to bite the bullet and do the same. I can’t be a short order cook in my own house and making different meals for everyone is just awful!
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