Most children between the ages of two and five go through stages of picky eating. We know it can be a frustrating time for both the child and parent. Naturally, we want our kids to eat a well-balanced meal. However, we often come across situations where only one item on the plate is being eaten, or suddenly, a food they enjoyed last week is now being rejected. It’s important to understand that picky eating is considered developmentally normal. Below are some dos and don'ts to help you and your family navigate through these stages.

Don’t

1. Discontinue offering new foods.
2. Serve new foods alone.
3. Obligate your child to eat the new food.
4. Remove the food from their plate it they say they don’t want it.
5. Exclude them from the preparation process.
6. Exclude them from the decision-making process.

Do

1. Offer a new food weekly.
2. Serve new foods together with their favorite foods, or foods you know they enjoy.
3. Allow your child to decide whether they want to try the new food or not.
4. Leave the food on the plate and communicate to them that it’s okay if they don’t feel like eating it now.
5. If possible, allow them to wash fruits and vegetables, or hand you things while preparing a meal.
6. If possible, give them two choices to choose from when it’s time to try a new food.

Children need a variety of food and balanced nutrition to grow healthy and strong. Although they may not like new foods on the first, second, or even third try, don’t give up! It can take up to 15 times eating a food before children know whether they like it or not. It’s important to nurture an environment where your child feels comfortable around food by giving options and allowing them to choose when they are done eating. They will be experiencing new textures, colors, tastes, and smells, acceptance may take some time. Around age five, many picky eating behaviors may disappear. 

By having these tips in your toolbox you can help foster a healthy relationship with food for your child while allowing them to feel comfortable, excited, and in control around new foods.

About Food for Salud

Food for Salud is a multi-faceted initiative launched at Nicklaus Children’s in 2022 that uses the power of food and nutrition to promote the wellbeing of South Florida children and families. There are many benefits to eating well, from disease prevention to overall health and wellness. Food for Salud supports access to nutritious food and brings healthy eating tips and recipes to kids in local schools and to families at various community events throughout the year.