Help for Picky Eaters

We have all experienced picky eaters!  They may not like the food, they may have heard other kids say that they don't like the food or maybe they just don't like the texture.  Whatever the reason, it is something that parents need to deal with. I spoke with our OT here at school and she gave me some great tips!

1. Your child must have one of everything on their plate.  (they don't need to eat it, they just have to have it on their plate). Try and serve your dinner buffet style and allow them to dish up their food. 

2. Have your child at least lick or touch all of their food.  (Most kids could take one bite.)

3.  Don't allow "yuck" at the table!

4. Talk about healthy eating for healthy bodies!  We need all different kinds of foods to grow and be healthy!

5. Serve fruits and veggies with dips such as Peanut Butter, Yogurt or salad dressing.

6.  Make a chart!  Your brain needs to experience things 10 times before it decides if something is good or bad.  Make a chart of a few fruits or veggies that you want your child to try.  Keep track of each time they lick it or take a bite of it. 

Vegetable	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

7. It is OK to puree veggies or fruits and put them in soups, cupcakes etc.  but don't tell them after they have eaten it that they just ate Carrots or tomatoes or whatever it is that you put in there.  They will learn not to trust you.