Illness, in general, sometimes puts anyone off their food, so coughs, colds and sore throats can put children off eating for a couple of days, and that’s quite normal. The eruption of a new tooth may cause a lot of pain in the mouth, making it too sore to eat. Growth spurts can also affect appetite.

Here are a few ideas that might encourage your picky eater to enjoy sitting down to the table for a meal — while sampling a variety of foods.

1. Limit mealtime distractions.
2. Serve appropriate food portions.
3. Don’t schedule mealtimes too close to bedtime.
4. Eliminate mealtime stress.
5. Involve your child in food preparation.

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1. Respect your child’s appetite — or lack of one. If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack.
2. Stick to the routine. Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day.
3. Be patient with new foods.
4. Don’t be a short-order cook.
5. Make it fun.
6. Recruit your child’s help.
7. Set a good example.
8. Be creative.

At regular times between meals, you can offer your child healthy snacks like fruit or vegetable sticks. This should keep your child going if they’re eating only small amounts at main meals. As long as you offer healthy food, try not to worry if your child doesn’t eat very much sometimes.

Encourage healthy eating habits

1. Focus on overall diet rather than specific foods.
2. Be a role model.
3. Disguise the taste of healthier foods.
4. Cook more meals at home.
5. Get kids involved in shopping for groceries and preparing meals.
6. Make healthy snacks available.
7. Limit portion sizes.
8. Regular family meals provide comfort.

Use a booster or find a chair that fits your child appropriately so that they’re comfortable at the table. Maybe the problem isn’t that your child refuses to eat, but rather they refuse to eat all the food on their plate. Remember, children don’t need as much food as adults.

Stick to the routine Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. If you child chooses not to eat a meal, a regular snack time will offer an opportunity to eat nutritious food. You can provide milk or 100 percent juice with the food, but offer water between meals and snacks.

Have consistent rules for all your children, and do not be lax just because you find it convenient. Empathize with them – never dismiss their feelings or ideas. Let your children do what they can for themselves, avoid the temptation to do something for them, to reduce their burden.

So if your child can’t handle green foods, but is okay with orange or yellow food, you might add more sweet potatoes and carrots to the menu. Some children also benefit from feeding therapy, which can help them develop healthier feeding patterns and behavior.