Most children with healthy appetites are ready to eat almost anything that is offered to them. A child often likes food unless it is badly cooked. The way a meal is cooked and served is the most important and an attractively served meal will often improve a child'sappetite. Never ask a child whether he likes or dislikes a food and never discuss likes and dislikes in front of him or allow anybody else to do so. If the father says that he hates fat meat or the mother refuses some vegetables, he may copy this action.

Parents should agree to the fact that he likes everything and he probably will. Nothing healthy should he to out of the meal because of a supposed dislike. At meal times it is a good idea to give a child a small part and let him come back for a second helping rather than give him as much as he may eat all at once. Do not talk too much to the child during meal times, but let him get on with his food. And do not allow him to leave the table at once after a meal, or he will soon learn to eat his food hurriedly, so he can hurry back to the toys in his room. On no condition must a child be coaxed or made to eat.