How to encourage fussy Eaters to Try New Foods?

Encouraging  Fussy eater  to Try New Foods"

As a mother, I've been blessed with a beautiful baby girl who lights up my world with her infectious smile and contagious laughter. However, like every other mother, I've had my fair share of struggles when it comes to feeding my fussy eater baby. I can't tell you how many times I've spent hours in the kitchen trying to come up with new and exciting meals, only to have my little one push them away without so much as a second glance.

But despite the challenges, I've learned a thing or two about how to expose your fussy eater baby to new foods without losing your mind in the process. So if you're a fellow mom struggling to get your little one to eat anything besides mac and cheese, then listen up! Here are my top do's and don'ts for exposing your fussy eater baby to new foods.

 How to expose your fussy eater to new food 

 As a mom, I know how frustrating it can be when my little one refuses to try new foods. But I've learned that it's important to keep offering them different foods, even if they don't seem interested at first. By giving them the opportunity to see, smell, and touch new foods, they may eventually become more comfortable with them. I've read that it can take several tries for children to develop a liking for a new food, sometimes up to 15 times! So, I try to be patient and persistent with my little one and keep offering them a variety of foods. I also try to remember that taste preferences can change over time, so it's worth revisiting foods that they may have previously disliked. By exposing them to different foods and being patient, I hope to help my child become a more adventurous eater in the long run.

Approaches to Encourage Children to Try New Foods

Every child has their own unique taste preferences, and it takes time and practice for them to become comfortable with new foods. It's important to remember that what works for one child may not work for another. While some families find that asking their child to try a small amount of a new food can be helpful, I've found that this approach can sometimes create anxiety and resistance around trying new things. For me and my family, leading by example has been more effective. I try to introduce new foods into our meals and show my child that it's okay to try new things. With patience and persistence, I believe that my child will develop a diverse and healthy palate over time.

Exposure Techniques – Things to Do

As a mother, I believe that modeling is a great way to encourage my children to try new foods and develop a sense of curiosity about different flavors and textures. I know that children often watch and mirror their parents' behaviors, so I try to lead by example. I don't want to pressure my kids into trying something new, so I take a gentle approach by modeling behavior instead of just telling them what to do. For example, I might cut up a small amount of a new food into "speckles" and place them alongside the dish, so my kids can see that I'm willing to try something new too. By showing my children that I'm open to trying new things, I hope to inspire them to do the same.

Make it fun

Hey kids, are you ready for a fun and healthy snack time? Let's prepare a colorful fruit platter together using some fun-shaped cookie cutters. You can pick your favorite fruits and we can make different shapes like stars, hearts, and animals! It will be so exciting to see all the colorful shapes and taste the different fruits. We can also chat about our day or talk about our favorite books while enjoying our snack. It's not just about eating, it's also about having fun and spending quality time together. Let's make snack time the best time!

Fussy eater variety 

 As a mom, I've found that introducing a variety of foods to my fussy eaters has really helped them become more comfortable with trying new things. I always make sure to include their favorite staples like bread and cheese, or pasta, alongside the main dish. It's important to make sure they feel reassured that they can eat enough before they try something new. I keep all the food on the table until the end of the meal so that they can have a chance to try everything. Sometimes, I notice that they'll try the main dish after they've had dessert, which is great!

Self serve family meals 

Hey there, fellow moms! One thing I've learned over the years is that letting your children serve themselves at mealtimes can be a great way to encourage independence and confidence. Instead of pre-plating their food and placing it in front of them, try having your family-style serving dishes on the table and encourage your little ones to serve themselves. This approach can help them develop fine motor skills, practice decision-making, and feel a sense of ownership over their meal. Plus, you never know when they might surprise you by trying a new food or showing off their serving skills! So, give it a try and see how it goes - you might be pleasantly surprised.

Patience for picky eaters

Alright kiddos, let's talk about the importance of patience when it comes to trying new foods. You see, it's not about us parents understanding the nutritional value or taste of a particular food, it's about our little ones feeling comfortable and confident enough to give it a shot. So, let's say you're trying to convince your child to try some peas. Don't harass those peas! Keep offering them with a smile and a positive attitude, and eventually, your child might just surprise you and give them a try.

For example, I remember trying to get my little one to try broccoli for the first time. I swear, it felt like I was negotiating a peace treaty between two nations. But, after offering it a few times without any pressure, she eventually decided to give it a try and now she loves it. So, remember parents, be patient and persistent, and your child might just surprise you with their adventurous taste buds.

Exposure Techniques – Things Not to DO

Avoid forcing kids food 

As a mother, it is important to be mindful of how we approach introducing new foods to our children. Forcing a child to eat a food they are not comfortable with can result in negative associations with mealtime and may create more resistance towards trying new foods in the future. It can also cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for the child, which can be detrimental to their overall eating habits

For example, if your child is hesitant to try a new vegetable, it is best to approach the situation with patience and understanding. Encourage them to take a small bite and praise them for trying it, but don't pressure them to finish it if they don't like it. Instead, offer other options and continue to introduce the vegetable in small, non-threatening ways, such as adding it to a familiar dish or serving it with a dip. This way, the child can develop a positive association with the food and may eventually become more comfortable with trying new things at mealtime.

No bribes for new food 

As a mom, I have learned that offering rewards to my kids for trying new foods can sometimes backfire. I want my children to have a positive relationship with food and to be adventurous in their eating habits, but if I offer them a reward for trying something new, it can actually create a negative association with that food. They might start to think that they are only eating it because they have to, not because they actually like it. I don't want to discourage my kids from trying new foods, so I try to approach it in a way that doesn't involve bribes or rewards.

Food criticism counterproductive 

As a mother, I understand that children may have different tastes and preferences when it comes to food. Criticizing or making negative comments about the food they don't like can be counterproductive. It may create a negative association with that particular food and make them less likely to try it again. Instead, I prefer to offer a variety of healthy options and encourage my child to explore and try new things without any pressure or criticism. By doing so, my child may develop a positive relationship with food and be more open to trying different flavors and textures.

Don't hide healthy food 

Trying to sneak in healthy foods into your child's meals by hiding them in familiar dishes might not be as effective as it seems. It may sound like a great strategy to get your child to eat more healthily, but it can actually backfire and create a sense of distrust in your child. This could lead to them being more resistant to trying new foods in the future. Remember, as a parent, your only currency in feeding is trust.

As a mother, I can totally relate to the temptation of trying to sneak in healthy foods into my child's meals. One time, I tried to hide some vegetables in my  daughter's  rice pulao but he caught me red-handed. He looked at me with an expression of betrayal and said, "Mom, why did you do this to me? I thought we were cool." From that day on, my  daughter became very suspicious of any new dishes I tried to introduce to him. Lesson learned: honesty is the best policy, even when it comes to vegetables., 😜,,😃wa

As a mom, I've learned that it's important to introduce my picky eater to new foods in a fun and relaxed way. I try to offer a variety of options at mealtime and lead by example by eating healthy myself. It's important to be patient and not force them to eat anything they don't like. I avoid negative comments and tricking them by hiding ingredients in their food. I know that it can be frustrating, but I try to stay persistent and positive in my approach. If I ever feel like I'm struggling, I remind myself to stay patient and focus on creating a stress-free environment during mealtime.

Reference:

Galloway, A. T., Lee, Y., & Birch, L. L. (2003). Predictors and consequences of food neophobia and pickiness in young girls. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 103(6), 692-698. doi: 10.1053/jada.2003.50128

Cooke, L. (2007). The importance of exposure for healthy eating in childhood: A review. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics, 20(4), 294-301. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2007.00761.x

Anzman -Frasca,  S., Savage, J. S., Marini, M. E., Fisher, J. O., & Birch, L. L. (2012). Repeated exposure and associative conditioning promote preschool children's liking of vegetables. Appetite, 58(1), 543-553. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.11.012

Powell, F., Farrow, C., & Meyer, C. (2011). Food avoidance in children: Influencing factors and interventions. Maternal and child nutrition, 7(1), 4-18. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2010.00252.x

Wansink, B., & van Ittersum, K. (2005). Shape of glass and amount of alcohol poured: comparative study of effect of practice and concentration. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 331(7531), 1512-1514. doi: 10.1136/bmj.331.7531.1512