Pre-school Food Confessions

I still feed my almost 4 year old pasta pickups because I feel better knowing that there are veggies in them. She won't touch veggies at all to even try.

I also still feed my 4 year old the gerber freeze dried fruit pieces and tell her they are candy because she won't try any fruit other than bananas.


Anyone else have any tricks they use with their picky pre-schoolers or older?

Re: Pre-school Food Confessions

I'm kind of mean. I insist that they try EVERYTHING I give them. They must take a minimum of 3 bites and chew and swallow before deciding whether or not they like something or don't for the first time. If they are genuinely disgusted by the taste of something (as opposed to just not wanting it because it isn't a cookie) - I will endeavor not to prepare it for them again. It doesn't happen often. I think the only things currently on the "NEVER" list are liver for both of them, anything sushi other than eel sushi for both of them, raw onions, raddichio, jicama and endive for Robbie - and olives for Noah. Other than that they can pretty much eat almost everything else so far.

I try to make it a game when I introduce new things. I try to let them help cook the food and while we are prepping I'll tell them where the food comes from, how it's grown or produced and what's good about it. Like: "Shrimp comes from the ocean and it's a crustacean - sort of like crab is a crustacean! These are probably came from a special shrimp farm. They have lots of calcium for your bones, lots of protein for your muscles so you can get really strong!" And I'll say "Uma (my mom) loooved shrimp!"

Helping cook the food gives them a sense of pride and encourages them to eat it more. Knowing about the food and how it helps their bodies grow is also pretty effective. And the idea that someone they love or admire likes that food is just one extra boot in the right direction.

It doesn't always work. I have days when they are stubborn and won't eat. I find it rarely has to do with what I've prepared and has more to do with the fact that they just want something else. In those instances, they just don't eat. They also don't get dessert. If they get hungry later, their dinner is re-presented to them. If they still won't eat - they do not get an alternative meal. They will simply wait until the next meal time. I will often give them a glass of milk - but they have come to know that I am not caving and they'll usually eat enough that they aren't going to bed hungry.

Re: Pre-school Food Confessions

I've tried that 3 bite thing and my older two who are very good eaters, especially DD, will do it. My 4 year old stinker will not budge and says "it's yucky" without even trying. He's one of those kids who would eat chicken nuggest and french fries for every meal if allowed. So I am usually bullying him at the table and I hate the process. He wont even eat pasta. So I have no advice but I am going to keep coming back to read the suggestions.

jeannie would they do it when they were 4, my son's age. I just don't see how i can get him to eat it. He knows dessert is not an option if he doesn't eat well and will usually end up watching my other 2 have their dessert. But he will say "I don't want dessert" rather than try a few ravioli or a few small pieces of broccoli (sauteeds in garlic so not steamed and flavorless). So we're not talking exotic here. I'm just wondering if there's any hope he might concede as he gets a little older.

Re: Pre-school Food Confessions

Re: Pre-school Food Confessions

Yo Gabba Gabba's song "Try It, You Might Like It" was a total godsend to us. Bella has tried SO many different foods with this....We often invoke the "Try It, You Might Like It" to much success

Recently she eats Tilapia, Salmon, STEAMERS!, crabcakes, baked clams; calamari, penne a la vodka, guacamole, green peppers, etc.

I NEVER ate any of that growing up...

She still loves her pizza and chicken nuggets...but it's amazing how we can give her a hunk of salmon and rice for dinner!