Seven ways to get your fussy eater to start eating and liking food

Children are usually eager to try new snacks and sweets. But when it comes to healthy foods like peas, broccoli or seeds, it becomes another story.

It’s not new to see kids rejecting attempts to make them try new foods though. Many don’t find these experiences enjoyable maybe because of the flavors or sometimes simply attitute.

It can be stressful for a parent when a child won’t even have a single bite after many attempts.

These simple techniques might be the key to dealing with a fussy eater.

Avoid heavy snacks and meals especially when introducing new foods for the first time. When they’re already full, they have a chance to avoid your attempts until you give up.

This tricks work because once they’re hungry they’ll have to eat what you offer them because they have no choice.

A fussy eater won’t be encouraged to eat when they’re being pressured with too many things at once. It’ll even be harder for them to try everything when they didn’t like the first thing they tasted on the plate.

Start with one thing then move to the next gradually.

Seeing you eat what you’re offering them will show them that they have nothing to fear. Kids often avoid new foods because they’re literally afraid to.

When you’re offering new foods, take a few spoons first so that they can see you eat it. This will ease the stress associated with new things.

Don’t give up even when they’ve knocked over the plate for the second time. Sometimes they use the fuss to make you give in but this shouldn’t discourage you.

Eventually they have to eat what you serve because it’s for their own benefit. Start by serving the small portions.

It’s okay to admit that it’s annoying to some extent. You’re human and you’re not immune to frustration. But it’s not wise to openly show that you’re angry or frustrated with them when they’re having a hard time eating.

They’ll start associating eating with negative experiences which will only make things worse. Some kids actually fuss when your force them to eat because they don’t feel in control and that’s scary for them.

Try and be as patient as you can and eventually they’ll stop resisting.

You want to associate the process with positive experiences. You can try changing your environment occasionally to make things easier.

When you change your environment, they’ll feel less pressured to eat. For example, you can try serve new things when you’re out on a picnic. That might encourage a fussy eater to start liking food.

Plain boiled food isn’t the same as food that has been shown some love. You can change the recipe or mode of preparation and maybe then they’ll be more eager to eat.

It doesn’t have to be a five star recipe but at least try making an effort and throw in some spices, fresh herbs and toss it in the oven. In short, find a new way of skinning the cat.