Have you ever seen a child refuse to eat, only to eat their favorite food after? This can be a frustrating situation for any parent, but it is entirely normal. Picky eating is common among children but can also be a challenge for adults.

In this article, we will discuss eight strategies to overcome the picky eater dilemma.

1. Be a Good Role Model

Children frequently learn by imitating their parents’ behavior. As a result, if you are continuously demanding items on your plate, it will affect your child’s eating habits. Be sure to offer healthy foods that you enjoy to your child as well.

Your child will be more likely to try new foods if they see you enjoying them.

2. Involve Kids in Meal Planning

Allow your child to assist in meal planning and preparation. Children are more inclined to attempt new foods if they play a significant role in the process.

You could also have some fun while doing it; play a game with them, like letting them choose an ingredient type to use in the meal. This technique can result in some unusual yet satisfying dishes.

3. Offer a Variety of Foods

Although your child may have their favorite food, providing them with a variety of options at mealtimes is crucial. Include different colors, shapes, and textures on their plate and switch things up every day.

Ensure you have a variety of healthy foods, as it is equally important to maintain a balance between carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

4. Incorporate Healthy Alternatives

It can be challenging to get your child to eat vegetables or fruits. You can incorporate them in other creative ways, like smoothies, veggie dips, or even hiding them in dishes they already love.

For instance, you could add peas, chopped carrots, and zucchini into a pasta sauce and see how it goes.

5. Be Patient and Persistent

It’s best not to force your child to eat. Instead, you could positively encourage them to try new food by encouraging them to have a small taste. Persistently offer new foods but avoid scolding them when they refuse to eat a particular food.

It takes a few tries before some children accept new foods, so be patient and have patience.

6. Limit Snacking

While it’s tempting to give your child a snack when they ask for it, it’s best to avoid doing so frequently. Snacking can fill them up, making it challenging to eat at mealtimes.

You can limit snacking by giving set snack times, introducing healthy snack ideas, or making sure your child is not bored or anxious hence they seek snacks for comfort.

7. Make Meals Fun

Adding fun to the meal atmosphere can motivate a child to try new foods. You could use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches or cut up fruits to produce colorful designs.

You could also play challenging games, like guessing the ingredients of the meal, to create a fun and positive vibe at mealtimes.

8. Practice What You Preach

If you promote healthy eating and encourage your child to try new foods, you should also do the same. Your child will resist trying new foods if they see you turning your nose up at them.

Be brave and try new foods with your child, it will boost your relationship, and both of you will feel accomplished after trying something new.

Conclusively, the picky eater dilemma is a common challenge experienced by parents and consequently, a concern for their children’s nutrition. Applying the above strategies will make mealtime enjoyable for your family.

Using a variety of meals, improving presentation, and positive reinforcements can help increase children’s curiosity and encourage them to try new things. Lastly, no matter how hard it gets, patience is key. Encouraging healthy eating habits will lead to a more healthy and happy family in the long run.