Food Jags in Children; What Can be Done?

What is the term food jag?

Food jags refer to the practice of eating just one food over time. Another name for food jag is food refusal or aversion. Food jag can also be referred to as when a child decides to limit his/herself to some set of preferred food. Healthy living involves consuming a wide variety of nutritious food in the right amount.

Children that are picky in nature tend to develop the habit of consuming a particular food item every day and that can result to lacking some important nutrients needed for their development.

Now, what are the consequences of children having food jags?

If a child is addicted to consuming a particular food item for a long time, it can result in malnutrition. The child cannot get all the required nutrient needed by the body in the right proportion from just one food item. And when a child is malnourished, it lowers the immune system of such a child, making such a child vulnerable to disease. Such children might grow up to be junk eaters.

Knowing the consequences of having food jags, you might wonder, how can food jags be handled in children?

As a caregiver, if you notice your child/ward is addicted to a particular type of food, one of the things you can do is to make available another attractive food item without necessarily forcing them to eat it. Over time, your child/ward will be attracted to it and might want to have a taste.

Try to make available different brands of the same food he or she likes, and don’t be stereotyped in your cooking pattern. Change styles and don’t allow your child to get used to your usual style of cooking.

Always allow your child to eat when the whole family is set to. Doing this, he/she gets encouragement to eat. 

Always allow your child/ward to take his/her time when eating, don’t rush them at all.

Allow your child to feed him/herself if there is a demand for that. Force-feeding will not solve the problem, rather, it discourages them the more.

Doing this Weill help handle food jags. However, if you need more information and guidance, visit a Registered Nutritionist Dietitian (RDN) near you. You can also reach out to us as we are here for you, as we have certified nutritionists that are dedicated to working with you to attain a good health status. Reach out to us using the contact form at the sidebar on the homepage.