How To Get Toddler To Stop Throwing Food & Enjoy Mealtime

Why do toddlers throw food? Toddlers throw food for many reasons, including exploration, boredom, seeking attention, or indicating they are full. Addressing food throwing requires patience and consistent strategies. This article will explore effective ways to stop food throwing and make mealtimes more enjoyable for everyone.

Image Source: kidseatincolor.com

Deciphering the Reasons Behind Toddler Food Throwing

It’s frustrating when your little one transforms the dining table into a launchpad for peas and carrots. But before you lose your cool, it’s helpful to figure out why your toddler is throwing food. Many things can be happening.

Exploration and Experimentation: Discovering Cause and Effect

For a toddler, the world is one big science lab. Dropping or throwing things is a way for them to learn about gravity, cause and effect, and the different textures of food. They’re not necessarily being naughty; they’re simply exploring!

Sensory Exploration: The Allure of Textures and Sounds

Toddlers love sensory experiences. Squishing mashed potatoes between their fingers or listening to the splat of yogurt hitting the floor can be fascinating for them. It’s a way for them to explore different textures and sounds.

Communication: Signaling Fullness or Dislike

Sometimes, throwing food is a way for a toddler to communicate. They might be saying, “I’m full!” or “I don’t like this!” Since their verbal skills are still developing, throwing food becomes a non-verbal way to express their feelings.

Seeking Attention: Any Attention is Good Attention

Even negative attention, like a parent scolding them, is still attention. If your toddler throws food and you react strongly (even if you’re saying “no!”), they might do it again simply to get a reaction from you.

Boredom or Frustration: Mealtime Meltdown

If a toddler is bored, tired, or frustrated, they might start throwing food as a way to express their discontent. Maybe they’ve been sitting for too long, or they’re just not in the mood for what’s on their plate.

Best Strategies to Stop Food Throwing

Now that you know some of the reasons why toddlers throw food, let’s talk about what you can do to stop it. Consistency and patience are key!

Minimizing the Opportunity: Controlling the Environment

• Offer small portions: Give your toddler only a small amount of food at a time. If they eat it, offer more. This reduces the amount of food available for throwing.
• Use a high chair with a tray: This creates a defined eating space and helps contain the mess (and the food!).
• Consider a splat mat: Place a splat mat under the high chair to make cleanup easier.

Responding Calmly and Consistently: The Power of Reaction

• Avoid overreacting: A big reaction will likely encourage more throwing. Stay calm and neutral.
• Say a simple phrase: Use a consistent phrase like, “Food is for eating,” or “We don’t throw food.”
• Remove the food: If the throwing continues, calmly remove the food and end the meal. This teaches your toddler that throwing food means mealtime is over.

Teaching Alternative Behaviors: Replacing Undesirable Actions

• Teach them to say “all done”: Help your toddler learn to say “all done” or use sign language to indicate they are finished eating.
• Offer a designated “drop zone”: Provide a bowl or plate where they can put food they don’t want.
• Model appropriate behavior: Let your toddler see you and other family members eating properly.

Positive Reinforcement for Eating Habits: Encouraging Good Behavior

• Praise good behavior: When your toddler eats nicely, offer praise like, “Good job eating your carrots!”
• Use a reward chart: For older toddlers, a reward chart can be motivating. Offer small, non-food rewards for good mealtime behavior.
• Make mealtime fun: Sing songs, tell stories, or use fun utensils to make mealtime more engaging.

Managing Underlying Issues: Addressing Potential Problems

• Rule out medical conditions: If food throwing is accompanied by other symptoms like poor weight gain or digestive issues, talk to your pediatrician.
• Address sensory sensitivities: If your toddler is sensitive to certain textures, offer a variety of foods and allow them to explore them without pressure.
• Consider hunger and fatigue: Make sure your toddler isn’t overly hungry or tired at mealtime. Offer snacks between meals and stick to a consistent mealtime schedule.

Stop Food Throwing Toddler Age: Tailoring Strategies to Development

The age of your toddler plays a role in how you approach food throwing. Different ages require slightly different tactics.

12-18 Months: Exploration Stage

At this age, toddlers are mostly exploring. Focus on:

• Minimizing the mess: Use small portions and a splat mat.
• Gentle redirection: Calmly say “no throwing” and redirect them to another activity.
• Introducing sign language: Teach them the sign for “more” and “all done.”

18-24 Months: Testing Boundaries

This is when toddlers start testing boundaries. Focus on:

• Consistency: Enforce the “no throwing” rule every time.
• Removing the food: If throwing continues, end the meal calmly.
• Positive reinforcement: Praise good eating habits.

2-3 Years: Developing Communication

As their communication skills improve, focus on:

• Encouraging verbal communication: Ask them to tell you when they are full or don’t like something.
• Using reward charts: Motivate them with small rewards for good behavior.
• Offering choices: Give them some control by offering choices between healthy foods.

Dealing with Toddler Food Refusal

Sometimes food throwing is linked to food refusal. They might be throwing food because they simply don’t want to eat it.

Strategies for Picky Eaters

• Offer a variety of foods: Expose your toddler to a range of flavors and textures.
• Don’t force them to eat: Pressuring them can create negative associations with food.
• Involve them in meal preparation: Let them help you wash vegetables or stir ingredients.
• Make food fun: Cut sandwiches into fun shapes or arrange vegetables into a colorful pattern.
• Be a good role model: Eat a variety of healthy foods yourself.

Addressing Texture Aversions

• Introduce new textures gradually: Start with foods that have similar textures and slowly introduce new ones.
• Offer dips: Dips like hummus or yogurt can make new textures more appealing.
• Don’t give up: It can take multiple exposures to a new food before a toddler accepts it.

Reasons for Toddler Food Throwing: A Quick Reference Table

Reason	Age Group	Strategy
Exploration	12-18 Months	Minimize mess, gentle redirection
Attention Seeking	18-24 Months	Ignore the throwing, focus on positive behavior
Communication (Full/Dislike)	18-36 Months	Teach “all done,” offer choices
Boredom	24-36 Months	Make mealtime fun, offer distractions
Food Refusal	All Ages	Offer variety, involve them in meal prep, be patient

How to Discourage Food Throwing: Long-Term Solutions

Stopping food throwing is not just about immediate fixes. It’s about creating healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Setting a Positive Mealtime Environment

• Create a routine: Eat meals at the same time each day.
• Minimize distractions: Turn off the TV and put away phones.
• Make it a social experience: Eat together as a family and talk about your day.
• Keep it short and sweet: Toddlers have short attention spans, so keep mealtimes relatively brief (20-30 minutes).

Addressing Toddler Mealtime Behavior Problems

• Identify the root cause: Is it attention-seeking, boredom, or something else?
• Be consistent with your response: Stick to the same rules and consequences every time.
• Seek professional help: If you’re struggling to manage your toddler’s behavior, talk to your pediatrician or a child psychologist.

Long-Term Strategies for Healthy Eating

• Focus on nutrient-rich foods: Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
• Limit sugary drinks and processed foods: These can contribute to poor eating habits.
• Teach your child about healthy eating: Explain why certain foods are good for them.
• Be patient and persistent: It takes time to develop healthy eating habits.

Toddler Food Throwing Solutions: A Summary

To recap, here are some practical toddler food throwing solutions:

• Reduce Portion Sizes: Start small to limit throwing material.
• Stay Calm: Avoid strong reactions to prevent attention-seeking behavior.
• Consistent Phrases: Use simple, repeated phrases like “Food is for eating.”
• End Meals Early: Remove food if throwing continues to teach consequences.
• Positive Reinforcement: Praise and reward good eating habits.
• Teach Alternatives: Help toddlers express fullness or dislike without throwing.
• Make Mealtime Fun: Engage them with stories, songs, or interesting utensils.

By implementing these strategies, you can create a more peaceful and enjoyable mealtime experience for both you and your toddler.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What if my toddler throws food even after I remove it? They might be testing your boundaries. Remain calm, and consistently end the meal. Offer the next meal or snack at the scheduled time.

• Can I ignore food throwing? Ignoring can work if the throwing is solely for attention. However, address the issue if it’s due to communication or refusal.

• Is it okay to punish my toddler for throwing food? Punishment is not recommended. It can create negative associations with food and mealtimes. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and consistent consequences.

• When should I be concerned about food throwing? If food throwing is accompanied by other concerning behaviors like extreme food refusal, poor weight gain, or signs of sensory processing issues, consult your pediatrician or a feeding specialist.

• How long will it take for my toddler to stop throwing food? There’s no set timeline. It depends on your toddler’s personality, age, and consistency with the strategies you implement. Be patient and persistent, and you’ll eventually see progress.