Problem with Food?

[HistoryMad]

Hi,

My DD is 5, and seems to have a problem with food. She will only eat food she is familiar with and food that contains no visible vegetables. Every meal time is ending up a battle and she seems to use it to seek attention. Our policy is eat the food we give you, otherwise go to bed (and miss post-dinbber fruit). I don't know what to do. DH's family have a history of eating disorders so I am worried. Her portion sizes are very small when she doesn't like the food, but it she likes the food (about 5 things in total) she will eat very well.

[Sirzy]

Every meal time is ending up a battle and she seems to use it to seek attention.

Don’t turn it into a battle and don’t give attention then.

Serve her meal, try to include at least one thing she will eat with it. When everyone has finished clear the plates with no fuss. Serve the fruit whether she has eaten her meal or not.

[moreismore]

As above! And maybe see if you can get her interested in helping to prepare it? And serve family style so she can help herself to stuff. But no extras outside of meal/snack times

[MrsJayy]

Stop making a deal of it and stop sending her to bed for not eating. Make her food sit down to eat and let her crack on ask her to at least try the veg . My dd is 25 and was a pain at 5 i was like you uber strict but sending her to bed and getting cross just made it worse once i started doing the above her eating improved.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

Agree 100% with what @Sirzy said.

[HistoryMad]

Thanks, I'm at the end of my tether with this. I will try as you've suggested.

[MrsJayy]

It is frustrating and very stressful, but honestly if you all relax about it you will see a difference. I went through a cycle of the things dd would eat at one point it was 4 dinners she would eat