7 Excuses Children Use When They Do Not Want To Eat

During its first year of life, a child can gain up to 6 kg in weight and grow about 10 cm. During the second and third year of life, development changes, and a child may also begin to use excuses for not wanting to eat.

As children grow more slowly , their nutritional needs are also smaller. Therefore, eating habits will change radically in periods. So this is something you should take into account before you start worrying about your child’s lack of appetite.

Sometimes children are more interested in playing and having fun than eating, and even that is something completely normal.

The most common excuses for not wanting to eat

1. “I’m not hungry”
2. “I do not like this food”
3. “My stomach hurts”
4. “It does not smell good / does not look good”
5. “It’s too hot / too cold”
6. “I’ll eat it later”
7. “I am already full”

Why do children come up with excuses to avoid eating?

Here are some reasons why children may refuse to eat:

• Stomach ache. If the child has problems with digestion, the appetite will also decrease drastically.
• Problems with the teeth. Pain in the gums, palate or other areas of the mouth can prevent the baby from eating.
• Asthma, cough or fever. A sick child would rather just drink, not eat real food.
• Emotional anxiety. Death, a divorce, a move to a new house or a change of school are all reasons to lose your appetite.
• Pressure or stress. When trying to force children, they often react by refusing and making excuses. A stressful school situation can also be a reason for poor appetite.

• No homemade food. If the child has become accustomed to ready-made food, he or she may then refuse to eat the homemade food.
• Lack of physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle also slows down the metabolism and meals are no longer a pleasure.
• Snack between meals. There is no danger with a couple of snacks between today’s main goals. But excessive eating will naturally affect eating routines.
• Repetitive or very varied meals. When there are too many choices, it becomes difficult for the child to choose. If, on the other hand, there are no choices at all, the child may also get tired of always eating the same food.

• Parents’ attitudes. Children always react negatively when they feel pressured. It is therefore important that the meals are calm and harmonious.

What can parents do?

• Educate yourself and your children. Learn the basics of good and nutritious food and teach your children healthy habits.
• Be consistent. Having consistent and well-planned meals is important for children. To make it easier, you can, for example, plan the week’s meals in advance.
• Avoid comforting. Food should never be used as a punishment or reward under any circumstances. If you associate food with emotional well-being, the food will turn into something negative.

• Children should eat the same food as adults. Therefore, try to avoid offering alternatives to healthy meals. Children should get used to eating the same healthy foods as the rest of the family.
• Gather the whole family for common meals. Eating by yourself is boring and does not allow for any normal conversation over the dinner table. So make sure to include all family members in the meals.

As you can see, there is usually nothing to worry about when children come up with excuses to avoid eating. It can be due to many different reasons, and many of them are simply related to normal development. 

Parents should instead focus on trying to instill healthy and balanced habits in their children’s lives. Over time, these habits will become part of the routine.