Many parents fear the prospect of a fussy-eater. After all, having to tailor mealtimes and take up the enduring war of trying new foods can be frustrating. However, all is not lost. If you have a toddler or an infant on your hands, now is a great time to get them to experiment with new food. Encouraging them to try out fresh vegetables and fruit, before moving onto more complex flavors could save you a lot of trouble later in life.
Start with fruit
If your toddler has already developed a bit of a limited palate for new foods, a good gateway health food is fruit. Slightly more sugary and full of bright colors, you may find it easier to convince them that healthy food can be fun and enjoyable.
Let them try food during prep
While you’re chopping vegetables and getting food ready for their dinner, why not let them try out new flavors as you cook? For example, if you were preparing countless amounts of vegetables for a stir-fry or stew, then try putting them on their highchair table. This puts more of an aspect of free will into the process of trying new vegetables. Watching you get dinner ready should also spark some curiosity into how their meals are put together and what really goes into them. If you’re worried about mess, then try a smock that covers both them and the highchair. Buying a stylish pink weaning bib will not only keep their highchair clean but also be easy to throw in the wash once you’re done.
Don’t be too stern
Many of us still recoil at the phrase ‘eat your broccoli’ and for a good reason. If you tell your children that they must do something or suffer the consequences, then they will associate it with punishment. Try and use more positive language, such as ‘be sure to try your broccoli, it tastes great with the stir fry I made you.’ A simple change in language could help you enormously.
Keep the sample sizes small
You might be gutted to discover your child doesn’t like spinach if you’ve made an entire cheese and spinach omelet. If you are trying new foods, you will want to keep the portion sizes small until they become accustomed to the taste.
Plan ahead when possible
It’s important that you don’t scold yourself for occasionally serving your child the odd TV dinner or oven-ready meal. Sometimes there is no replacement for chicken nuggets or fish fingers if you’ve gotten home from work late, or are pressed for time. If you find yourself doing this regularly and want to break out of it, you may find that planning helps you to make quick and balanced meals. Scheduling in a grocery trip and buying produce that’s for specific recipes will ensure that you can try out a new meal at some point during the week.
Fussy eaters can be a real challenge, particularly if your little one has a tendency to dig their heels in when confronted with food they dislike. By taking a measured approach, you can help to widen their palate subtly, and perhaps without them even knowing.
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