EATING

[Kimorsweetcheek]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you could give me some tips for encouraging my five year old son to try new foods. He is very picky and refuses to try different foods most of the time. He eats banana's, green grapes and tangerines he will not eat any other fruits. He eats sweet corn, carrots and a little broccoli but will not try any other veg, he only drinks water, he will not eat sweets, crisps or ice creams... Is this ok, I constantly feel bad as I usually give in to his picky eating although I am always offering him new stuff. I have tried things like getting him to help me in the kitchen etc.

[AperolSpitz]

I read about a good technique once which went something like every dinner time you had to try one tiny new thing before dinner.

So before you eat dinner (when they're hungry) you put a bowl of blueberries or peas or whatever it is you would like them to try in the middle, everyone has one and then you get on with dinner. It's more like a game and maybe you'll happen upon some stuff he likes?

Sounds like he has a good diet (assuming he also eats protein foods?) don't worry too much.

[PacificOcean]

One technique is to give him his plate of food which has mainly foods he likes, plus a small portion of food he is fussy about. Then he has the option to try it, and may gradually start to do so. But don't make a big deal out of it by insisting he tries it - that's more likely to make him say no just for the sake of it.

[Kimorsweetcheek]

Thank you, both sound like good techniques. Will give them a go this week. I'm just doing a meal plan and trying to get him involved in it by talking about the different meals he has for school dinners.