There’s no question that cooking for a family takes planning and organization. That’s especially true if you’ve got a picky eater on your hands! If dinner is a nightly struggle, we’ve got some reassuring news. Research shows that picky eating is, to some extent, a normal and important part of growth and development. As a parent, the key is to patiently encourage exploration and variety so that your child doesn’t get stuck in a food rut for too long.
First and foremost, your poker face is your super power. As frustrating as it can be to prepare a meal only to have it rejected, do your best to maintain a calm demeanor. It’s okay to encourage kids to taste a new food (for example, take one bite to be polite), but resist the urge to force it. This tends only to increase tension leaving your little one even less likely to try or enjoy the food later on. Model good behavior by enjoying the food yourself and don't sweat the rest.
Keep food fun. Grown-ups love an artfully plated dish and kids are no different. To a child, something as simple as the shape of a food can be the difference between acceptance and rejection. Try cutting foods in a fun shape (cookie cutters are great for this) or plate food in the shape of an animal or funny face. If your little one is still not convinced, try renaming the offending dish. Case in point, ‘Ants-On-A-Log’ sounds so much more fun that celery and raisins with peanut butter.
Finally, embrace the messy joy that is playing with food! Your child won’t taste a food, but will he touch it? For toddlers especially, touch is a critical part of the learning process as it helps children feel more comfortable around new foods. Young children naturally tend to explore food with gusto - smearing sauces on their cheeks, rubbing yogurt in their hair, squeezing peas between their fingers… While cleanup is anything but a breeze, this process allows children to become familiar with new textures, smells and, yes, even tastes.
