Super Picky Eater. Ugh. Vent.

So I look after a 5 year old who will only eat bread, maybe peanut butter or honey, crackers, cereal, vanilla yogurt, pasta, some kinds of meat and of course the treat we have for afternoon snack every Friday. No fruits or veggies at all. I try to include something this child will eat at each snack/meal but its not always possible. Mom and dad allow this kid to eat whatever it wants for dinner(generally pasta and chicken) and give treats all the time. For a 'morning snack' on the way here the kid is given a chocolate covered granola bar or chocolate chip muffin. Mom is afraid to 'force' the child to eat or at least try new foods because she's afraid it will make said child 'hate' all foods. So frustrating! Mom feels bad that I don't always include something I know little so&so likes because then she starves. Should I really have to include what this kids wants to eat? When she won't even try anything else?

I try to include what picky eaters like sometimes, not all the time. It is not possible. We can offer nutritious foods, but never force them to eat. We will never win there. They decide whether to eat or not. You may want to talk with the parents to align your strategies...

You need a lot of patience with picky eaters. For some it takes a few weeks to start trying "new" foods for others months

That is crazy! By catering to her kid's pickyness, she is depriving the child of the nutrients she needs to grow properly. If she just took away all the kid's favourite foods (because most of them are not even a minimal part of a healthy diet) she would find that the kid will get hungry enough to eat realy foods. Granola bars are just chocolate bars with a healthy name. Chocolate chip muffins are cupcakes with no icing. The child is going to end up with diabetes or other serious health problems and it will be the parents who caused it. So sad! Don't cave in. Serve what you serve and the child will eat. If I were you, I wouldn't even give things like bread until she eats some fruit and veggies (I do this with a picky eater I have and she is now eating all kinds of things...she loved bread and crackers, so I give her just on small piece with her meal and if she wants more she has to eat her other food).

I'm with Sunnydays on this one. If you provide only foods they like, they will never ever be hungry enough to try new foods.

I serve wholesome well balanced meals. The kids can choose to eat or go hungry. THEIR choice. If they are hungry later then they will know that next time they should eat. Plus studdies suggest that you offer a food approximately 15 times before a kid will even try it.

I serve tiny servings of bread and carbs and large servings of veggies and fruits and NEVER offer seconds on anything until the veggies are gone.

I have stopped stressing about who eats what and how much.... Parents know my ideals and standards. I have them for one main meal and 2 snacks, Mon-Fri (or less). It is up to the PARENTS to be the main teacher of nutrition, etc.
I choose what to serve, and when. The KIDS choose if they will eat and how much. I stick to my guns, and if they are hungry, then they will eat.
Does anyone know of a child who truly starved, because their daycare served foods that they didn't like? Doubt it.
Just be strong, sista!!! ;)