Ms. Mary Silva
Specializing in feeding and nutrition.
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 Ask Mary Silva
The Pickiest Eater I've Ever Seen | | | QUESTION | | | | My 3 year old is the pickiest eater I've ever seen. Really, I am sure that she would eat peanut butter and jelly and nothing else if I let her! She turns her nose up at whatever I put on the table. How can I get her to try some more things? I don't want to fight with her any more. — Robert in Cleveland, Ohio | | | ANSWER |
June 26, 2000 | | | Although picky eating behavior is common in the 3 year old child, it is a distressing experience. Your description of her shows that she is unwilling to try new foods. When a child has a tendency to reject new foods, her parents are bound to interpret this initial rejection as a permanent problem. A child who is not exposed to new foods regularly often becomes difficult to feed because she limits her food acceptance to a narrow field of foods. However, when new foods are offered repeatedly, she might well end up accepting them.
Where to start
You might start by assuring your child has routine meals and snacks. Provide a variety of nutritious foods at each of these feedings. Give familiar, preferred foods along with a small portion of a new food. Encourage your child to at first, touch or take a lick of the new food. Praise her for being adventuresome. Then encourage her to take a bite of the new food. Again, praise her for trying it.
Be persistent
Even if your child doesn't take the first step in accepting the new food continue offering it on other occasions. She may have to see it on her plate 10-15 times before accepting it. When possible, have your child share meals and snacks with other children. She may be more willing to try a food if another child is doing so.
Create a pleasant atmosphere
Since your child's food acceptance will not only depend on your offering new foods frequently but also on the eating environment, you'll want to create a pleasant atmosphere at mealtime. Show your child that you're willing to try new foods and enjoy them; eat a variety of foods at each meal; avoid being dictatorial about eating. The good news is that the tendency to reject new foods fades as children get older. Remind yourself that one day she is likely to eat a whole range of foods and enjoy them.
— by Mary Silva, M.S., R.D. |
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