7 Ways to Get Picky Eaters to Try New Foods

7 Ways to Get Picky Eaters to Try New FoodsBreaking a picky eater is no easy feat. My daughter isn't a terribly picky eater, but I have to take time to introduce her to new foods. She doesn't just grab things on her own and gobble them up without question - kids rarely do! Here are 7 ways to helping your picky eater (or should we just say your child?) explore new foods. I've read about or tried all these techniques myself over time. If you have tips of your own, please share!






Give foods a new form 1. Give foods a new form
Sometimes regular foods in a new shape can make all the difference. My daughter was always wary of lasagna, so I made them in individual cups. She went crazy for the cute shape! It also made it easier for her to try, one little cup was much less intimidating than a large slice of lasagna.
Make lasagna cups

Ingredients:
egg roll wrappers
tomato sauce
mozzarella cheese - shredded

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a muffin/cupcake tin with cooking spray. To assemble: Place an egg roll wrapper into each space. Spoon in approximately 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese. Continue until all are assembled. Carefully fold the excess egg roll wrapper over itself to seal. Continue until all are sealed. Spread a small amount of tomato sauce onto the tops of each lasagna cup. Top with a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until egg roll wrappers are cooked through and cheese has melted.


Try new foods as a family 2. Try new foods as a family
Meals become much more pleasant when families eat together at the table. When the entire family's eating the same meal, kids are more likely to try something new. It also provides a calm, happy atmosphere to discuss the tastes and textures of a new dish. Start with something easy and family-friendly, like this recipe.
Make chicken and stars soup



Introduce new flavors in a healthy dessert 3. Introduce new flavors in a healthy dessert
Just as a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down, kids are more open to trying new foods if they're sweet. These frozen ice pops are made with fresh fruits and herbs. Have your kids pick out new fruit to try, pluck herbs, and make popsicles together.
Make frozen fruit pops










Related: 16 new ways to make your kids' favorite recipes


Add something new to something they love 4. Add something new to something they love
Even the pickiest eater has some food he or she loves. Add new ingredients to the familiar. For example, try putting some greens in your kid's mac and cheese. Be upfront about what you've added and include something new each time you make it. They'll eventually come to accept new flavors and maybe even be curious what will turn up in their mac and cheese next!
Make mac and greens









Make the texture appealing 5. Make the texture appealing
Along with new flavors, kids need to learn to appreciate new textures. Kids who are not good chewers should start with simple purees. This way, they'll taste the food without having to chew thick vegetables or cope with an unusual texture. Once they come to enjoy the flavors, you can make the purees chunkier and eventually introduce a full-textured piece of the new food.
Make pear and apricot puree




Play with your food 6. Play with your food
There's nothing wrong with making something fun out of food. My daughter didn't love strawberries at first, but we made them into little creatures like these. Not only did she succumb to eating them, she loved the chocolate chips and sweet cream. Now I can just serve her regular strawberry slices, but it took a while to get there!
Make stuffed strawberry men





Related: 50 best recipes for kids: picky eater recipes, allergen-free and more


Introduce a variety of food in small portions 7. Introduce a variety of food in small portions
Kids eat smaller portions than adults, so make up small platters or boxes like these bento boxes. Fill them with a few bites of food they enjoy and add in some things they've never tried. Switch up the foods daily and treat it like an adventure. Keep introducing new things, and your kid can try food at her own pace.
Make quick bento boxes









- By Kelsey Banfield
Follow Kelsey on Babble

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