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Tuesday Tip for Picky Eaters: Remove distractions



Like a lot of kids, Henry is easily distracted. During mealtimes, we try to limit distractions so that he can focus on eating and enjoying the company of the other people at the table. We put away Henry’s toys before our meal starts. We also keep the television off and we don’t answer the phone during meals.
Henry gazes out the window during lunch.
A 2011 study from the University of Birmingham in Alabama found that when focusing on the flavor, texture and smell of food, diners felt less hungry after lunch than those were distracted with reading or watching television. They were also less likely to eat snack food later in the day. Another recent study found that playing a computer game while eating resulted in feeling less full and eating more cookies after lunch.

If your child is easily distracted during meals, some sources even suggest simplifying your dining area. Try removing clutter and visual distractions from the dining room to help your child focus on what’s important.
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  1. JoyNovember 20, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    I liked the article you linked. We just started BLW and have found our bib is very distracting so we are going to try without that new, fun bib and see if it helps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 23, 2012 at 10:32 AM

      Good idea Joy. Some of those feeding accessories (bibs, spoons, forks, and napkins) can be distracting at first. Good luck!

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