How to Introduce New Foods to Your Child

Young children are notorious for wanting a narrow range of foods. As children get older, it is important for them to develop a taste for a variety of healthy foods. Many children are very hesitant to try foods outside of their experience. Try these methods to make new foods more appealing to your child.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know that parents are responsible for providing a variety of healthy foods for your child. Parents must plan meals and periodically add new foods to the menu. If a family eats fast food or convenience food consistently, children do not get the experience of trying new foods. A parent that has a limited diet is likely to raise a child with the same type of diet.

2. Avoid power struggles over food. This means parents will have to allow their child to say "no" to foods occasionally. A child does not typically try a little of everything on his plate the way an adult would. A child has limited activities that he controls, but eating is one of the things he can control. Children who are forced to eat do not learn how to regulate their eating as well as other children. Set a regular meal time and snack time then allow your child to eat if he is hungry. If he isn't hungry, make sure he waits until the next scheduled meal or snack time to eat.

3. Describe the food being introduced to the child. Tell the child if a food is sour, sweet or spicy. Talk about the texture of the food. This will give the child an idea of what to expect when she eats it. Eat the food you are introducing. A child will notice if an adult is not eating a food and imitate the behavior

4. Place a small amount of the new food on the child's plate. This will expose the child to the food, even if he refuses to eat it. Allowing the child to smell and see the food will make it more familiar. Eventually, he will eat it.

5. Plan on the child being exposed to the new food many times. It may take the child twenty introductions to the food before she willingly eats it.

6. Don't be a short order cook. Feed one meal for the whole family. As long as hot dogs or macaroni and cheese are available as an alternative, a child will not need to try new food.

7. Plan snacks. Don't provide snacks and beverages on demand then expect a child to eat at mealtime.

8. If a child's growth is appropriate and healthy food choices are being offered, don't fret if she refuses to eat a certain food. Over time, a child typically eats enough of a variety of foods to get proper nutrition.

Resources

• Healthy Eating Net