Advice for Dealing With Your Picky Eater

My two-year-old did not eat dinner last night.  She wouldn’t try the chicken.  She refused to taste the carrots.  For some reason she kept demanding rice, but my in-laws were serving mashed potatoes and she would not allow those spuds to even touch her little plate.  Of course she wanted the key lime pie for dessert—but, cruel mother that she has, she was denied the pleasure.  (She was re-offered chicken, carrots and potatoes, but didn’t take the bait.)

The “picky eater” stage has apparently settled in at our house.  Where do I go from here?

Whether your picky eater is 2 or 12, there are fun, creative ways to get your kiddos to try new foods and broaden their view of what’s allowed on their plates:

• Preparation is Key: Try preparing foods in different ways.  Apparently my little one won’t eat cooked carrots, but she might be willing to try thinly sliced raw carrots if I offer them with one of her favorite dips, roasted red pepper hummus.  You can try veggies steamed, raw, cooked, topped with cheese sauce, or alongside a dip – one of these just might appeal to your child and get him or her to try a new food.

• Be a Good Example: Kids are more likely to eat something that you eat as well.  One day I was enjoying a salad when my picky eater wanted to try a slice of red bell pepper.  To my surprise, she loved it.  I spent the rest of my meal picking out peppers and happily handing them over.

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Tags: CobornsDelivers, Picky Eaters