To understand the need of the body for food, we need to know what is hunger. Hunger is a compelling need or desire for food. Brain is the control center for the regulation of food intake.

Individual variation in consumption of food and sense of taste is highly developed in some individuals than in others. Pre-school children with low taste sensitivities accept more variety of food than with high taste sensitivities.

“Why children tend to like noodles, pizzas and cold drinks etc?” The catchy advertisements are very much responsible and secondly they take these food items as alternative to staple diet that is served at homes.

Mothers face challenges in statements form their children like:

· My friend’s mom is so innovative in cooking food.
· There is no variety in your menu.
· Sabzi tastes different & good in restaurant.

How can a mother make a child happy and still maintain health of her loved ones? As a mother, we always tend to cook and serve best for our families form the resources that are available at our disposal. We can start by being more patient and understanding.

Loss of appetite can be due to:

· Sickness
· Genuinely not hungry
· School Pressure
· Peer pressures

Many a times we do not look into matters that divert attention of our child from food.

Some unchallenged rules to get your way are :

· Include your child’s likes in the menu
· The only way we can get someone to do something is by giving him what he wants.
· Follow the deepest principle in human nature - The craving to be appreciated.
· Importance of teaching your child early on - Discipline. Teach them that cold drinks, pizza, etc. cannot be replacements for meals

If we are careful and attentive to the needs and desires of a child with a little tact and persuasion we can succeed in getting our child eat the way we want and the way he prefers.