How can you avoid those mealtime battles? Try these fun tips to lay a foundation for stress-free, adventurous eating habits before the first bite.
Tease Them with Mouthwatering Smells
Think about those smells that get you out of bed in the morning — brewing coffee or the aroma of breakfast cooking. Smell is an important and sometimes forgotten part of our eating experience.
Release the Artist
Use food for fun art projects. For example, decorating a waffle or pancake with banana slices, strawberries, blueberries or any fruit your child may love.
Flip the Script
Do you find yourself telling friends and family, “My child is a picky eater”? Train yourself to use positive language instead: “My child is learning to love new things.” Instead of “He doesn’t like it,” say, “He hasn’t had it enough times.” Using positive statements helps validate your child’s feelings.
Color
Chop brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as red cherry tomatoes, green kiwis and purple grapes into small pieces. With your child, sort them by color while saying the name of the color aloud. Focusing on the game rather than on their worry with new foods. This can promote your child’s acceptance of new textures.
Name It
Which do you think your child would rather eat: steamed carrots or X-Ray Vision Coins? In the same way that descriptions on restaurant menus can influence what you order, creative names in the kitchen can catch a child’s interest.
Spotlight
Many kids love being the star. So, put them in the spotlight and explore new foods. Take videos of your child tasting a new food and then telling their younger sibling or stuffed animals about the taste, flavor and texture of it.
Get Everyone Out into the Garden
Studies demonstrate that a garden improves children’s knowledge of produce and increases their intake of fruits and vegetables. Make it a family activity throughout the year.
