As all mums know, kids aren't big fans of trying new types of food, especially when the food is a fruit or vegetable.
But a varied diet is important if your little one is to be healthy. Here are a few things you can do to try and coax your child to try something different...
Be calm
Even if you're worried about a picky eater, try to at least fake a carefree front. It matters because if you are casual about it, they'll be casual. You don't want to turn the dinner table into a war zone.
Strike when they're hungry
The hungrier they are, the more likely they are to try something new. With that in mind, don’t allow snacks closer than two hours before dinner.
Make it a habit
The sooner you get your kids used to trying new things, the better. Likewise, the more often you introduce new foods, the faster they’ll get on board and start opening their little minds.
Don't make them eat it all
If you force a child to do something, it’ll turn them off it (even more!) A good rule of thumb is to insist they try one bite of everything on their plates. If they don’t like it? Fine, but at least they tried it.
Don't offer substitutions
If you give them the easy option, kids will probably take it. Bearing that in mind, don’t offer them an alternative. Get them to try the new food, and if they don’t like it, they don’t like it. They’ll eat whatever else is on their plate.
Try soups
Purees are perfect for introducing new flavors, like roasted tomato, because at least your child is already familiar with its texture. Plus, it’s easy to make, so it’s a win-win!
Let them help... in the garden
If you have a garden, start growing your own veggies, and the let the kids lend a hand. If they’ve had a hand in creating it, they’ll be more interested in it. Plus, your time in the garden is a good chance to talk to them about healthy eating.
Eat new foods and enjoy them yourself
Enthusiasm is contagious so be vocal about how tasty things are. And if you're not especially into roasted carrots but you know they're good for the kids, just take a bite or two yourself.
Spin off proven favourites
This is another way of telling you to get your mileage out of it! Imagine your child tries pumpkin soup and likes it. Well, go with it. Google other simple recipes that you could make, using pumpkin as a base.
No complaints
If you have older kids, enforce a ‘no complaining’ rule. It's monkey see, monkey do at the dinner table, so if one child refuses, you're likely to see the rest follow suit.
Get them excited ahead of time
If your kids are older than toddlers, announce your plan. We're going to start trying new foods as a family. This week we'll try baked risotto with bacon and peas and carrot cake pancakes. It's going to be fun! Then give it a whirl. How bad can one bite be?
