changing eating habits

[bagpussmice]

i need some real hands-on experience and advice...
my 2 dd's 2.5 and 4.5 have a reasonable diet, but very limited in what they will eat. How do I get them to try new things? they are reluctant to try or taste new foods that aren't on their "list" of what they normally eat, which makes it a pain when we go to someone's house for tea/dinner.

they don't like change, ie. dd2 who is 2.5 will only eat wholemeal pasta twists, so if we go out they have pasta shapes or tubes she won't eat it! this is just one example amony many!

Just spotted this and hope someone can help as I am pulling my hair out a bit over ds (nearly 3). Used to eat everything I made him, but about a year ago started refusing various foods and now we are down to about 3 home-made things and tins and frozen food - not my plan at all. I won't physically push stuff into his mouth, and he won't put it in himself, v frustrating, especially as I'm sure he'd actually LIKE some of it!

Will keep an eye on this and give more info if it's helpful.

All I can suggest is keep trying to introduce new things. Eventually they might try it as it becomes more familiar. For example if they won't eat broccoli just put a tiny floret of it on their plate a few times a week and one day they will try it, honest.

If they don't have the opprtunity then they won't try it IYSWIM.

Also have you tried inviting their friends round for tea -works well especially if they are good eaters.

Thanks BettyS, and in case bagpussmice also spots this I have found a comforting thread here

I always found that my kids would eat whatever was put in front of them (within reason obv), if they'd been swimming for example and were really hungry.

I'm a bit tough over this however as I make dinner and that's it - eat it or don't but there is never an alternative (unless they're ill or I've had a culinary disaster).

It is extremly frustrating though - DS1 is like this. He won't even eat party food and will survive on nothing at a party until he gets home.
I'm sure they grow out of it - I don't know many adults who are as picky!

Yes, I keep reminding myself that nearly everyone I know eats nearly everything.

I have read that to get used to a new taste a child has to try it 7 times, so don't give up offering new foods just because they didn't like it the first time.

Apart from gentle encouragement, I would just try getting them more involved in choosing food in the shops, go to a greengrocers where they can see and touch a big selection of fruit and veg and ask them what they like the look of. Also let them help prepare food eg, washing fruit, cutting up (with blunt knife) some of the fruit and veg etc. Could you grow some things in your garden? My friend's dd is so proud of her home grown tomatoes! Even herbs or cress on a window sill is exciting and they can add it to the food themselves. Pick your Own farms are wonderful as well. I think anything that gets children involved or helps them to feel that they have a choice is a good thing where food is concerned. HTH.

just keep giving it to them - I can understand a bit more if it is a 'new' food so one they've never tasted before but only eating a certain shape of pasta is just plain difficult because you know the other shapes taste just the same! Try and mix some tubes, shapes, spahgetti into the twists.

With new foods, I insist they have a little bite. If they really don't like it then they don't have to have anymore. I may then try it again in a few weeks time. Also, I won't totally dominate their plate with a new thing - so say e.g. sardines - if they hadn't had it before I may put a little piece alongside their normal fish and let them try it rather than making a whole plate of sardines and expecting them to polish the whole lot off.

These are such good ideas, thank you!