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Top parenting stories this week
Is Your Child a Picky Eater?
If your toddler lives on bread and cheese, here's how you can get him to expand his food repertoire.
by: Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers
In This Article
Picky Eaters
- Picky eating is a common developmental behavior and is about control, not taste.
- Start introducing new tastes and textures early to help prevent bad habits from forming.
- Use words like "special treat" to describe broccoli and carrots, not chocolate and cookies.
- Put new foods on your child's plate first.
- Aim for one bite (or even a lick!) of the new food and go from there.
rustrated by your picky eater? Don't worry, your toddler isn't destined for a life of chicken nuggets and white bread. Here's how to handle a picky eater.
Why are some kids picky eaters?
Most toddlers are particular when it comes to eating – it's a common developmental behavior that has little to do with the taste of food and is more about wanting control. Saying "no" to foods is a great way to get a response from mom. This makes eating fun – for your kid, not you.
Don't fall into the trap of offering bland, unhealthy foods as a replacement for flavorful, healthy ones. If you continue to offer a variety of healthy options, your little one will grow to accept them. We're not saying it will be easy, but here's how to make things go a little more smoothly:
