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Advantages of a divided children's plate – food adventures even for picky eaters

Posted by Elin Oresten on

How can you as a parent help your child discover food in a fun and easy way? By presenting the meal so that your child can feel and taste it themselves, we believe it contributes to greater interest and enjoyment of food. Discover the practical benefits and possibilities of creating exciting and rewarding meals for fussy children.

Myth or truth: do divided children's plates lead to picky children?

There is no evidence that divided plates cause children to become picky or fussy at the dinner table. However, there is clear evidence that genetics and environment play a role in children's relationship with food. For example, the parent's attitude towards food and how pressure and coercion are more likely to hinder than help.


Using portioned plates allows parents to create varied and exciting meals. It's about introducing different tastes and textures early in the child's eating journey and having a positive attitude towards food without forcing or pressuring.

5 benefits of a divided children's plate


1. Easier to get a grip on food

The raised edges of divided plates make it easier for your child to independently pick up food with their hands or use a spoon/fork without the food spreading all over the table.


2. Separates different flavors

Divided children's plates allows you to serve different foods in separate compartments. Perfect for parents who want to avoid unwanted flavors mixing, for example yogurt in one compartment and sandwich in another.

3. Fun and aesthetic presentation

Children eat with their eyes too. A divided children's plate makes the meal visually appealing and entices children to explore different parts of the plate.

4. Prevents food contact between dishes

Perfect for little ones who can be picky about not letting food touch each other. Each part of the meal is kept neatly separated.

5. Visual reminder of a balanced meal

By filling each compartment, you can easily ensure that your child gets a varied diet with different flavors and nutrients. The plate Different compartments simply make it easier to remember to add a vegetable.

The benefits of divided plates are more than just a practical solution, it is an opportunity to make mealtime an enjoyable and educational experience for your child.

Discover our divided children's plates
Elin Oresten Knatteplock

/Elin Oresten

Lic. nutritionist and founder of Knatteplock.

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BENEFITS OF EATING THE SAME FOOD WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY

Cook picky food at home

Children love to imitate, by eating the same food it facilitates learning and makes mealtime a positive experience of togetherness. As a parent you don't have to feed but can sit next to and enjoy the food.

Picking food gives children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and a greater enjoyment of eating. By offering different textures and flavors, the child gets a broader taste palette, and there is a greater chance that the appetite will continue even during the naturally picky period that usually comes around two years. Research shows that children who are introduced to a more varied diet from the start eat more variety and more vegetables later in life.

  • Promotes exploration and independence at mealtime.
  • Develops early chewing skills.
  • Simplifies family meals and strengthens community.

Why pick-me-up?

grötpinnar bebis
Promotes exploration and independence at the meal
Develops early chewing abilities
Simplifies family meal time and strengthens the community

Market leader on products for children's independent eating

Encourage the joy of eating by letting your child explore flavors and textures on their own. Start the food adventure today - we are here for you and your child through messes, discoveries and challenges.
 
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Frequently asked questions about takeaway food

Finger food is a way of offering food where the baby/child eats themselves either with their hands or with a spoon.

Finger foods give children the opportunity to explore a variety of textures and consistencies at their own pace, from an early age. This can lead to a healthier relationship with food and greater enjoyment of eating.

Make sure your baby shows signs of being ready for solid foods. She should be able to sit up in a chair on her own, be able to bring objects to her mouth on her own, and show an interest in food. Maybe your baby is reaching for your food or looking at your plate with fascination, then there is probably interest!

Consider offering foods that are fairly soft but easy to grasp. For example, sweet potato sticks, slices of liver pâté, cooked broccoli or omelette/pancake strips. Sandwiches with butter and/or liver pâté are also perfect for practicing motor skills. Slippery foods that are difficult to grasp can be rolled in seeds or sandwich crumbs. For example, avocado or banana. But in general, it is good to offer the baby what the rest of the family eats as often as possible.

Small babies don't have a pincer grip so it's big pieces that matter at first. The pieces should be longer than the palm of their hand because small babies (6 months) often can't open their palm on request. It may feel scary but it's actually safer with bigger pieces than smaller pieces when it's a small baby! If they take too big bites they spit it out again.

Read more here.

Many people worry about how their children will be able to chew finger foods without teeth. The good news is that it goes very well. Young children process food with their tongue, palate and toothless jaws.

Children only get molars when they are a little older (over 1 year old) and waiting to introduce solid foods until then can have negative consequences for the child's eating development.

Children don't learn to chew by eating puree, they learn to chew by practicing chewing different textures in their mouths.

Read more here.