Dealing with a picky eater can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to get them to try something new. But it doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience! With some creative thinking and a little bit of humor, you can make meal time fun for everyone. Here’s how!
If you’re trying to get your picky eater to try something new, try changing the presentation. If they don’t like food that’s mixed together, serve it on separate dishes. If they don’t like the texture or shape of something, use cookie cutters to make it into a fun shape or serve it in a cup with a spoon. The idea is to make it look different enough that they’ll give it a try.
Trying to introduce too many new foods at once can be overwhelming for picky eaters and lead to more resistance. Instead, introduce one new food at a time and give them time to get used to it before adding another one. You can also start by offering just a few bites and gradually increasing the amount over time.
You can turn mealtime into a game by setting goals for your picky eater when it comes to trying new foods. For example, you could tell them they need to try 10 new foods this month, or offer them rewards for trying something new (like an extra bedtime story). This can help make mealtime more fun and encourage them to be more adventurous with their food choices.
Involve your picky eater in the meal planning and cooking process as much as possible. Let them choose the ingredients for the meal or help you prep them before you start cooking. This will give them ownership over the meal and may make them more likely to try things they wouldn’t normally eat.
Above all else, remember not to pressure your picky eater into trying something new if they’re not ready. If they’re resistant, talk to them calmly about why it’s important to try different foods and offer them reassurance that it’s ok if they don’t like it right away. Eventually they’ll learn that it’s ok to be adventurous with their food choices and you might just have some fun in the process!