Mealtime Strategies

Children are most successful when meals and snacks are scheduled and offered when the child is hungry.

Mealtime strategies for children

Meals should be routine and reliable
Children should have 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day
- Snacks should be treated as mini meals and should include healthy items rather than only sweets and carbohydrates
- Encourage interaction with all foods offered (even non-preferred)
- Initiate a “no thank you” bowl, encourage “kissing [the food] goodbye”
Start meals with the habit of the child and other family members always being seated
Limit meals to 25 minutes and snacks to 15 minutes
- At the end of the allotted time remove all of the food and liquid and wait until the next meal or snack time (could be only 2-3 hours later)
Offer 4-6 ounces of a milk/calorie beverage at each meal and snack time
- Do not give child any food or beverage (except water) outside of scheduled meal/snack times
Do not offer calories between meals and snacks (no liquid or food)
- Offer only water for the 2-3 hours between meals and snacks
Turn off the TV, radio and put the pets in another place in order to reduce distractions during mealtimes.
Offer preferred foods just slightly different every other time – different color plate, different utensil, cut into different shape, add cinnamon, etc.
Offer soft solid foods the size of the child’s thumb for improved oral motor skill demands
Offer foods with increased sensory flavors for improved bolus transit
Practice serving food away from the container that the food is purchased in to reduce brand sensitivities and preferences