How to Get a Picky Child to Try New Foods- Brought to you by: Yumble
I don’t know about you, but ever since our family has been social distancing, and our trips to the grocery stores have halted, I can’t help but notice how much food my kids waste. All three of my boys are picky eaters, and I often struggle to find a healthy variety of foods to feed them. I know I’m not alone in this struggle, so I wanted to offer my readers some tips on How to Get a Picky Child to Try New Foods courtesy of Yumble. I hope this information helps, and if you have any tips or fun hacks to add, please share them in the comments!
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Parents often get concerned when their child develops picky eating habits, but this is a normal phase that usually passes over time. That said, it can still be frustrating to deal with a child who refuses to try new foods or only accepts a small range of meals.
This article will cover some of the best ways to help a child try new things, build a supportive environment, and establish a healthy meal plan for kids. Keep in mind that every child is different—what works for one kid may not be as effective for another.
Avoid Bribes and Punishments
It’s natural to consider using bribes and punishments to help kids move past their picky eating phase, but that usually sends the wrong message. This strategy puts kids against their parents and makes them feel like they have to do something they truly don’t want to do.
Similarly, rewarding a child for tasting food tells them that trying new foods is a scary or overwhelming task that they should only do for an external bonus. Instead, you want them to think of unfamiliar foods as exciting opportunities to try new things and expand their tastes.
Don’t Get Stuck on One Food
Every child should try as many foods as possible, but there’s no point in forcing them to eat something they aren’t ready for. Kids can get the nutrients they need from a variety of sources, so you can always substitute something else until they’re ready to branch out.
If your child won’t eat asparagus, for example, have them try a few other green vegetables before coming back to asparagus later on. The act of tasting other new foods will gradually weaken their resistance to trying this one.
Ask Them to Help
Children shouldn’t have full control over what they eat, but giving them some input can make meal prep more enjoyable for everyone. Kids are more likely to try new foods if they were involved in selecting or preparing them.
It’s easy to get your child started with tasks like mixing, measuring, and gathering ingredients. Simply involving them in the process will help them grow more familiar with a wide range of foods along with the idea of cooking meals. Let them pick a few ingredients from a set of unfamiliar options—for example, you could ask if they’d rather have carrots, peas, or broccoli.
Picky eating can develop into long-term eating issues, but most kids naturally overcome this phase as they grow more comfortable with new foods. These tips will help you get your child to try new things in the short-term while developing good eating habits that will stick with them for the rest of their life.
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