Picky eating refers to a selective and often limited diet based on personal preference.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Only eats certain foods, refuses others.
- Common in children, also adults.
- Leads to unbalanced nutrition.
Overview
“挑食”是一个非常常见的中文词汇，用来描述一个人对食物的选择性很强，不喜欢吃某些东西，只吃自己喜欢的。这个词主要用来形容吃饭时的不良习惯，尤其是在儿童教育中经常被提及。它反映了一种不健康的饮食态度，可能影响营养均衡。
“挑食”通常用作动词，后面可以直接跟名词（食物）或者不跟。例如，“他很挑食，不吃蔬菜。”或者“别挑食，什么都应该尝尝。”它也可以用作形容词性的短语，比如“挑食的孩子”。
这个词最常出现在家庭教育、儿童保育、学校食堂以及日常的餐桌对话中。家长经常会用“挑食”来形容孩子不肯好好吃饭、偏爱零食或某些特定菜肴的行为。在健康饮食的讨论中，挑食也被认为是需要改进的饮食习惯。
“偏食”与“挑食”意思非常接近，都指对食物有偏好，不吃某些东西。但“偏食”可能更侧重于对某类食物（如肉类或蔬菜）的明显偏好或排斥，而“挑食”则更广泛地指对多种食物的挑剔。在实际使用中，两者常常可以互换。
“嘴馋”指的是想吃某种好吃的东西，尤其指零食或不健康的食物，更多的是一种欲望，而“挑食”则是一种拒绝或选择行为，两者侧重点不同。
“节食”是指为了减肥或健康而有意识地控制饮食的量或种类，这与“挑食”因个人喜好而选择食物的性质完全不同。
Examples
这个孩子有点挑食，不喜欢吃青菜。
everydayThis child is a bit of a picky eater and doesn't like vegetables.
为了孩子的健康成长，家长应尽量避免孩子养成挑食的坏习惯。
formalFor the healthy growth of children, parents should try to prevent them from developing the bad habit of picky eating.
哎，你怎么又剩这么多？别挑食啊！
informalHey, why did you leave so much again? Don't be so picky!
研究表明，挑食行为与儿童早期营养不良风险增加存在关联。
academicResearch indicates that picky eating behavior is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition in early childhood.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
挑食不好
Being a picky eater is not good.
改掉挑食的毛病
get rid of the bad habit of picky eating
他是个挑食的人
He is a picky eater.
Often Confused With
While both mean being selective about food, '偏食' (piānshí) might imply a stronger preference for one type of food (e.g., only meat) over another category (e.g., vegetables), whereas '挑食' (tiāoshí) is a more general term for being fussy about various foods.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '挑食' is commonly used when discussing children's eating habits. It's generally seen as a negative behavior that parents try to correct. While adults can also be picky eaters, the term is used less frequently in formal adult contexts unless specifically addressing dietary issues.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using '挑食' to describe someone who eats very little due to illness or appetite loss; that would be '食欲不振' (lack of appetite). Also, ensure the context is about food preference, not about intentionally dieting ('节食').
Tips
Encourage trying new foods
Gently encourage children to try new foods without pressure. Offer small portions and praise their effort.
Avoid force-feeding
Forcing a child to eat something they dislike can create negative associations with food and worsen picky eating.
Food is more than just fuel
In many cultures, food is central to social gatherings and family bonding. Picky eating can sometimes be seen as disrespectful to the effort put into preparing a meal.
Word Origin
The character '挑' (tiāo) means to choose or pick, and '食' (shí) means food. Together, they literally mean 'to pick food', implying a selective choice.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, sharing meals is important, and food is often prepared with significant effort. A child who is perceived as '挑食' might be seen as ungrateful or difficult, making it a common concern for parents.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'tiāo' (挑 - picking up) only the 'shí' (食 - food) they like, leaving the rest behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions在大多数情况下，挑食被认为是不健康的饮食习惯，因为它可能导致营养摄入不均衡。但偶尔对某些不喜欢的食物不吃，只要整体饮食多样化，问题不大。
孩子挑食的原因有很多，可能包括食物的口感、味道、外观不吸引人，或者受到家庭成员饮食习惯的影响，也可能是进入了某个发展阶段的自然表现。
纠正挑食需要耐心，可以尝试改变烹饪方式、让孩子参与食物准备、提供多种选择并坚持尝试，以及家长以身作则，营造积极的用餐氛围。
是的，成人也可能挑食。这可能与童年时期的习惯有关，也可能与个人口味、文化背景或健康状况有关。
Test Yourself
我的孩子特别_______，只肯吃米饭和鸡肉，不吃蔬菜。
句意是孩子只吃特定食物，不吃其他，符合“挑食”的定义。
“挑食”最准确的描述是？
“挑食”的核心含义就是对食物有选择性，只吃喜欢的。
用“挑食”组句：
这个句子既包含了“挑食”这个词，也给出了一个积极的建议，符合语境。
Score: /3
Summary
Picky eating refers to a selective and often limited diet based on personal preference.
- Only eats certain foods, refuses others.
- Common in children, also adults.
- Leads to unbalanced nutrition.
Encourage trying new foods
Gently encourage children to try new foods without pressure. Offer small portions and praise their effort.
Avoid force-feeding
Forcing a child to eat something they dislike can create negative associations with food and worsen picky eating.
Food is more than just fuel
In many cultures, food is central to social gatherings and family bonding. Picky eating can sometimes be seen as disrespectful to the effort put into preparing a meal.
Examples
4 of 4这个孩子有点挑食，不喜欢吃青菜。
This child is a bit of a picky eater and doesn't like vegetables.
为了孩子的健康成长，家长应尽量避免孩子养成挑食的坏习惯。
For the healthy growth of children, parents should try to prevent them from developing the bad habit of picky eating.
哎，你怎么又剩这么多？别挑食啊！
Hey, why did you leave so much again? Don't be so picky!
研究表明，挑食行为与儿童早期营养不良风险增加存在关联。
Research indicates that picky eating behavior is associated with an increased risk of malnutrition in early childhood.
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一两
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