Ep. 38: Feeding Preschoolers: Your Questions Answered!

In this episode, Anna Mackay, Anna Lutz, and Elizabeth Davenport discuss feeding preschoolers. They define a preschooler as a little older than 2.5 years old up until 5 years old. These are also kids who can sit at the table and eat independently. We discuss:

• Questions to consider around vegetable consumption and offer reassurance and guidance if your preschooler is not eating vegetables
• Why it is okay to serve juice and chocolate milk and in what capacity
• The importance of Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding
• The importance of moving beyond the “here and now” with eating patterns
• How to handle if your preschooler eats more in the afternoon and does not eat much for dinner
• The developmental appropriateness of preschoolers becoming more selective with their food choices at this age 
• What to do if a preschooler’s teacher or caregiver dictate in what order they should be eating their food
• The big question of whether you should talk about sugar with your preschoolers and if sweets should be made available to a child at this age.

 

Links:

• Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding
• Katja Rowell’s, M.D. Lunch Box Card
• Lutz, Alexander & Associates Nutrition Therapy
• Pinney Davenport Nutrition