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Ways to Expand Your Picky Eater's Taste Buds
As an 8-month-old, your child ate mashed peas and carrots by the mouthful. But now that she's a toddler, she's staging a vegetable strike -- and would happily eat grilled cheese at every meal. How did mealtime go from a cute mess to an epic battle?
"Pickiness usually starts around 18 months and can last well into the school years," says Jennifer Shu, M.D., a Parents advisor and coauthor of Food Fights. "It's a time when kids tend to form their own likes and especially dislikes."
The best way to expand your child's palate? "Get her involved in meal decisions -- at the market, in the kitchen, at the dinner table," says Amy Hendel, author of Fat Families, Thin Families. You can also be more playful with your food prep, hide veggies in foods she likes, and more. Since there are many types of pickiness, you'll need to figure out what works for your child. The key: Keep trying.
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The previous comment is so true and yet so many give up after trying a food just once or twice. Also getting your kid involved in cooking is very valuable because they get invested in it. I don't agree with bribery, it can work, and may be necessary in severe cases, but it doesn't really teach a child to eat well in the long term. I am a mom and an occupational therapist that specializes in feeding children. I have much more info, tips, and strategies at my blog www.YourKidsTable.com
4/20/2012 08:42:02 PM Report AbuseIt's a bit late for this comment but, children's taste buds are the culprit to why they do not like food. When it comes to liking a food, exposure is the only way to get them to eat it. Some children need to be exposed up to 20 times before they will like a food. You need to work it into their diet. So, slowly integrate a vegetable into a dish that they like and work up their tolerance.
1/10/2012 06:42:59 PM Report AbuseMy almost 2 year old will not touch veggies(even potatoes), meat, fried food or anything with tomato sauce. The kid would live off of fruit if I let him so I offer fruit or a gummy vitamin if he trys his food. I never make another meal because he doesn't eat but,will offer a healthy snack an hour or so later. I offer the veggies and meat but have resorted to Sneaky Chef recipes to get it in. I agree bribing is OK as long as you are bribing them with a healthy option.
10/8/2010 10:51:29 AM Report AbuseActually, bribing works quite well for serious matters. Flavor the food so s/he will like it and start with one small bite (+ familiar meal) for a treat (if swallows bite). Increase the number of bites required next time - same reward (3-5 bites, 6-10, whole serving). Doesn't have to be unhealthy treat: grahams, gummies.(For potty training, try $store toys. (Once, twice, five times, whole day, two days, week, two weeks, three = small toy.) It works.
1/15/2010 04:07:38 PM Report Abuse