How do you get a picky two year old to try more types of food?

Question

My son turned two a month ago and he's been quite a picky eater for the last six months or so. He will eat brown rice, eggs, yogourt, All Bran Bars, toast, and sometimes chicken and broccoli. He will always eat treats or sweets when he has them. The things he will eat aren't that bad but I'd like to know what has worked for some other parents out there when dealing with pickly toddlers. Thanks very much for your insight!

Answer 1

Give him at least three choices of other foods that he hasn't tried, and be patient. He will eat when he is hungry, and will remember the taste of that food which took away his hunger. In short it will be a positive experience that he remembers and he will relate it to the that food.

Answer 2

For me and my children I have found that if keep introducing the items to them and to make it fun for them to eat they will eventually try the food . Like when make sandwiches I cut them out with a large cookie cutters or I make a face on their plates out of food. i have a three year old that would only eat pepperoni and carrots so I stopped buying them every time I go shopping that way he doesn't have those chooses anymore. My children's doctors say if they are hungry enough they will try it. so that is what I did. If they wouldn't eat it eventually they will. Hang in there i have been there i feel like all i do is trying to convince a three year old to eat. From what i can remember at that age my kids were very picky too.

Answer 3

as a mom of 3 little girls and having one of the world's pickiest 5 years olds-i know how hard this is!!

make food fun-buy him a special plate,bowl,cup,and silverware that is just for him to use during meals.

food that he can pick u with his fingers is going to be more appealing to him than ones that he has to use silverware with-i found when my kids were toddlers-the fork and spoon was very frustrating.

try making sandwiches cut out with cookie cutters-my kids loved the fun shapes.

take some crescent rolls (the kind that comes in a tube) and before rolling them up-add some sliced ham and cheese. then roll them up and bake as usual-big hit at my house

cucmbers cut into strips w/ranch dressing to dip them in are great for little hands.

slice up some strawberries or bananas and give him a small cup of yogurt to dip them in.

mix macaroni and cheese with some mixed veggies or ground beef

all of these worked for my toddlers but the important thing to remember is that he does enjoy eating healthy foods-all of the foods you listed above are full of nutrients. so as long as he's eating something-i wouldn't worry too much-the older he gets, the more he'll become open to trying new things.

Answer 4

Your lucky that the foods he does eat are healthy enough. I would try to disguise the food in a stir fry with lots of his favourite foods, just so he gets a taste for it, then try adding more and more new foods. Or alternatively try making the food look fun like a face sandwich. Use different foods as eyes, mouth, hair, etc. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I had this problem too. My mom came to stay with us while my husband was overseas and told my daughter that we don't live in a resturaunt and that whatever mommy (me) made for dinner was it. (I was making two meals because I thought she would starve.) I stopped making the extra meals, and there was some fighting, but I promise, your baby wont starve himself. He will get hungry enough and eat what is placed infront of him. My daughter went from eating bread and cheese only to eating broccoli, bell peppers, steak, chicken, crab, squash, okra, and onions. we are trying more things every day!! It is great!!! It will take a little while, but you need to stick with it!!! Good luck!!!

Answer 6

You are better off skipping a meal and ensuring he is hungry when offering him a better variety of food.

In the meantime, if you are concerned, give him Toddler Milk (to ensure he is getting a range of nutrients and not just what you have told us)

Regards
Maria
Mum of two GOOD eaters.

Answer 7

Just keep in mind that this too shall pass. He eats a good variety of foods, so you should not worry at all. My daughter ate only grilled cheese sandwich and spaghetti-o's for one year. And I really mean that was all she would eat. Every day over and over again. I would carry cans of spaghetti-o's in my purse in case we went somewhere for dinner. All the relatives had cans of spaghetti-o's in their cabinets and sliced cheese for sandwiches. And she survived. Now it makes me so mad to see her eat anything even sushi (yuck) when she was such a picky eater as a child.....Anything to worry you...Sigh...

Answer 8

it is extra uncomplicated than you think of. In time, your daughter will initiate eating extra effective. contained meanwhile, you may feed her what she'll devour, besides as placed healthful meals on her plate, and make her take 2 bites. this could familarize her with those meals, and finally, she'll discover ways to love a number of them.

Answer 9

Well, I would probably keep the meal out on the table until he or she eats it, because the kid probably wo'nt starve himself (i hope!) and when he does eat it u can tell from his face how he likes it. If he doesn't like it, then fair enough there's not much you can do about it. (idea from Dr. Phil LOL worked on my sister, now i know pretty much everything she likes and dislikes)

Answer 10

positive encouragement, make him think it might be fun!
at least he already eats lots of healthy things so don't make it into a big battle. he will get more adventurous as he grows and sees you and other people enjoying their food