Any ideas on how to get my kids to try new foods?

Question

My kids, 2 and 3 1/2, are picky, and just refuse new foods. I try to introduce new things, but they usually end up in the garbage. My son would rather starve then try something new. They will eat- apples(and apple sauce), chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, speggetti, corn and chicken. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get them to at least try other things?

Answer 1

people usually say if u sit down with them and they see u eating it they will usually eat it too. sometimes they dont like whats on there plate, but they like your plate when its exactly the same, so u could try letting them help themselves off your plate

Answer 2

My children 1-1/2 and 3-1/2 are very picky, too. It may take several (11 to 20) times of seeing a food on their plate before they are willing to touch it, much less taste it. And if the parents are't eating it as well, then forget it! Keep offering healthy foods, offer a new food with a familiar food and don't expect them to sample it on the first try and you must eat it too!

Your children's bodies are programmed to know what they need. As long as you keep offering a variety of healthy foods, they will learn to eat healthy.

Make the food look fun...let the kids help prepare the meal...use lots of dips!

You may want to discuss a multivitamin supplement with your pediatrician if you are worried that they are missing important vitamins.

Answer 3

Toddlers don't have the most refined palate, that's for sure. One suggestion is to introduce the new foods in small amounts, on the same plate they're eating their faves from. They'll be more likely to try it if they don't have a great big helping of something they don't recognize. Also, you might want to check out this great web site I found. Some of the recipes are a little "out there", but most of them are great and my son loves them, especially the cereal bars. Good luck!

Answer 4

Every single kid in the world is the same. You just have to keep trying. And if the foods you are trying to get them to try are foods you eat, eventually the kids will want to try them too. Especially if you Ooooh and Ahhhh when you eat the food.

Try and think of it from a kids point of view. Right now they like what they like. But then they want to be "older" and older means trying other stuff. It'll come. Be patient and remember that kids grow up fast.

Answer 5

Sure never give up....how about mini meatloaves baked in a muffin tin with happy faces on them using little pieces of frozen mixed veggies at the end of the baking.

Most kids love macaroni and cheese and hot dogs...or fish sticks.give then some ketchup in a little cup to dip it in.

Peanut butter and crackers with little raisins shaped like a face

go to the dollar store and buy some "party hats" tell them it's party time ...and make eating fun....play music..while they eat and try to lower the stress for all of you...
Take the little biscuits in a tube from the dairy section and roll out to make a little mini cheese pizza.

children love bite size pieces of food...and something to dip it in...so whatever you try to give them don't overload their plates...they will probably ask for seconds.

You can also make "milkshakes" with different fruits all kids would love that and look for cute cups and plates for little kids that have cartoon characters on them.

I'm glad your kids are eating the foods you mentioned I know it's hard on your nerves thinking they are not getting all the foods they need. but they will grow up right in front of you...and later will eat everything in the house.

Best of luck...Mama Jazzy Geri

Answer 6

chased my friend's four year old around the table just to get her to try a baby carrot, she didn't and my friend said to me glad you got some exercise . She still doesn't eat alot of veggies or fruit.

My mum used to make faces with new food, for example she'd get a pear or a peach , put raisins for eyes, maybe some canned cherries for a nose and some peanuts or mini marshmallows for a mouth.

Have you introduced scrambled eggs or french toast to them where you stuff the french toast with berries or apples or jam?

what about yogurt or yogurt bars with fruit?

For meats and stuff, tiny tea spoon portions, nothing huge and say they have to have one bite and swallow it . Make little sandwhiches on pita or english muffins with leftover meat and let them add toppings like lettuce or shredded carrots or mustard or catsup.

Kids sometimes don't like the smell or texture or even the colour of foods.

Nephew hated jello and does to this day.

You just have to keep trying, perhaps one new food a week , but not make meal time a war either.

Answer 7

"son would rather starve then try something new. " He won't starve...but let him go hungry. Stop offering them what they want if they don't eat what is available. If it winds up in the garbage fine...they wind up going to bed with empty stomachs.

Answer 8

I would say to just keep putting new things in front of them to try. Repetition is the best. Kids tend to not try things because of how they look, or even because they have never seen it before. Just keep trying and eventually they will try it

Answer 9

what worked for me when i was babysitting, was the kids helped me make dinner. then they could eat it and be proud that they helped me make it. even though they are young, it will help them be more involved with the whole process. or....you could just let them starve.

Answer 10

I used to eat new things in front of mine without offering them some. If they saw me eating it, they would want some too.