It can be extremely frustrating to deal with a picky eater. Meal times turn into stressful events spent begging, pleading and getting angry, even. You feel like throwing in the towel and making separate meals for everyone.
Don't give up yet! Here are some tips for getting picky eaters to eat.
1. Don't force your child to eat any foods. Many times, the lack of desire to try new foods is just a way of power struggling with you. Instead, just keep patiently offering.
2. Make sure to introduce only a few new foods every month or so. Don't expect your child to try something new every meal or week, even.
3. Don't bribe with dessert for eating a new food. Make sure to encourage by using phrases such as " I am very proud of you for trying that food you were unsure about" rather than "You are a good girl for eating that asparagus".
4. If you are unsure if your child will try something, offer it in a fun way. Give veggies a fun dip to go with or cut something into fun shapes.
5. Try having your child help make dinner. Many times, children are more interested in something if they have a part in preparing it.
6. Try, try and try again. Don't harp on your child to try something, but don't give up after the first try either. Keep offering the new food periodically and they may get curious about it. Also, Children's taste buds change over time. One year they may not like something, but the next year, it might be a favorite.
7. Most importantly, model a healthy relationship with all kinds of foods. It's OK not to like everything, but just as you want your child to try new things, be willing to do so in front of them as well.
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