Does your child not want to eat right, refuse to try new foods and reject even what was already part of the menu? Be aware that this is common, especially from 2 to 5 years of age, a phase when food selectivity emerges.

However, parents need to be aware that the behavior does not harm the formation of good eating habits. Read the tips from our nutritionist and former student, Rafaella Dusi:

1. Lead by example

Children learn more from what they observe on a daily basis than from words. It's no use always consuming sweets, fried foods and soda and expecting your child to accept fruits and vegetables. Remember: children tend to imitate the habits of their parents, so set an example.

2. Respect the break between meals

The child's organism needs time to digest the last meal until hunger appears again. If the child ate recently, he may not have enough appetite for the next meal. The interval between meals is usually at least two and a maximum of four hours.

3. Keep an eye on the amount

Pay attention to the amount of food you offer your child. There is no pre-established amount for each child, but you must take into account the age and appetite of each one. Do you want your child to eat everything on the plate? Set possible goals to be met.

4. Understand the pace of each child

Your first child eats very quickly, so the second will take the same amount of time, right? In fact, it's not like that. Everyone has their own pace, including eating. Thus, reserve at least 25 minutes for the child to eat calmly. If your child is taking a long time to eat, consider some factors that may interfere with appetite, such as: sleep, indigestion, teething or even excess food offered in the previous meal. Disagreement with school and home meal times can also increase stress. Ideally, meal times at home should be the same as at school.

5. Provide healthy options

Whenever your child is hungry, offer healthy options such as fruits, natural juices and whole foods. Observe what you put on the plate and in the lunch box, which is part of the child's eating routine, because good habits are acquired on a daily basis. When you go to the market, avoid buying foods that are not good for you, usually high in fat and sugar and low in fiber and vitamins, such as boxed juices, processed cheese and biscuits and filled cookies.

6. Praise good behavior

Who doesn't like to be praised? Regardless of age, kids are happy to know they're doing the right thing. So, whenever your child tries new foods, eats vegetables, greens and fruits, remember to praise them. Be careful not to offer rewards for good behavior (you eat this, you get that...), because eating right is the right thing, not something that requires a reward.

7. Never stop offering food that has been refused

Studies suggest that the same food should be offered 12 to 15 times before it is possible to conclude that the child really does not like it. It takes work, but it is necessary to educate the palate from an early age.8. Try to vary the presentation and involve the child in the process.

Your child's chances of trying something new increase if you offer the food in different ways. Carrots, for example, can be grated in salads, cooked in soups, made into purees or farofa. Whenever possible, also let the child participate in the process. He can go with you to the market or fair, help with choosing the menu, setting the table, washing tomatoes and leaves. Encouraging engagement heightens curiosity and lessens rejection.

9. Turn mealtime into a moment of pleasure

Even with the rush of everyday life, try to make eating time synonymous with tranquility and pleasure. Therefore, avoid electronics (tablets, cell phones and TV), which stimulate the child too much. Rather turn that moment into something tasty: create stories involving foods, colors or characters that the child likes, chat, put on calm music. It will make a world of difference for your child and for you too.

10. Keep calm and persevere

Food education demands a lot of dedication, but the result pays off. So insist, chat, be patient, try again. Remember: the greater the diversity of foods you offer, the healthier your child will be. If you have difficulty, seek help from a specialist, such as a nutritionist or psychologist who works with infant feeding.