It is very natural that most of the children dislike a new food especially when it is first introduced. They love to be independent and like to eat familiar foods. Although they feel comfortable and safe with the usual menus, parents need to focus on nutrition also. Many new parents get confused about how to get their picky children to try new foods. Are you looking for ways to diversify the food-taste of your kid? If yes, continue reading to explore some awesome ways to inspire your kid to test new food.
Tips & tricks to cheer your kid to try a new food
Start new food at an early stage
It generally happens that children accept new foods at an early stage of life. So, introduce new food to your children when they are young. It would be more difficult to adopt new foods beyond youngsters.
Introduce new foods with old favorites
New food will be less scary to children if they see a favorite on their plate. For babies, you can add breastmilk or formula to diced foods. In the case of older children, it would be good to pair a new vegetable with a sauce they already like.
Let them see you enjoy the food ( Role Modeling)
Children are always imitative. They like to try a new food if they see an adult ( parents, siblings, or grandparents) eating the same food. So, before serving a new kind of food to your kid, eat the food in front of them. And, pretend that you are enjoying the food very much.
Provide a variety of foods
Your child should eat different types of foods because he or she needs to get various nutrients from individual foods. Children who enjoy a variety of foods, tastes, and textures at their early stage of life, basically want to have a diverse and balanced diet later in life. Fruits and vegetables are undoubtedly important because children’s diets are usually low in these nutritious foods.
Try introducing new foods at snack time
Children enjoy snack time. So, this may be a good time to introduce other foods from the same food group or similar foods. You can give a snack of 3-4 separate fruits or vegetables from which your child can choose.
Implement the Rotation Rule
The Rotation Rule is important. Don’t provide any food (milk is exceptional) two days in a row. This habit settles the foundation for introducing new foods.
Lower your expectations
Most parents want their children to try every new item they prepare for dinner or lunch. Kids are unruly, so permit them to decide whether or not to try new food. Do not force them, just stimulate them to test it. If they taste a single bite, you need to be relaxed.
Offer a small portion
Give a small amount of each food on your child’s plate and inspire them to taste. If you put a small spoonful of new food, it will be less profuse and a big helping. Luckily, if your child favors it, you can always give them more.
Let your kids be hungry
A hungrier kid is happier to try something new. Don’t serve snacks to your children closer than two hours before dinner. Actually, if your kids do not get super hungry, they never try new food as an appetizer. If your kiddo is really hungry, they might try food they have never tasted or tried before.
Make it a habit
The mothers who love to cook, try new items frequently, and like to enjoy foods with family, their kids are very used to new foods. So, if you make it a habit, your children also make it a habit to test new food at lunch, dinner, or snack time. Besides, you can write a blog or youtube video on your recipe that will encourage your kids to try new items.
Let them help in the garden
From my personal experience, I love to share that my two daughters eat huge fresh vegetables in the summer because they’ve invested their own time and effort to help the garden grow since spring. Moreover, as they work, they feel hungry and like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables they grow in their own hand.
Get them excited ahead of time
If your kids are older than babies, notify your plan. Tell them like this: we are going to start testing new foods as a family. This week we’ll try Noodles Pakora with green beans and peas and carrot pancakes. It will be great fun! Then children would be excited to enjoy the new food with their family.
TALK IT UP
Before serving a new food to your kid or child, use graphic words about the color, the texture, the flavor, and the temperature to fascinate your child. Question them how the food was too—is it cold or hot? Does it feel crunchy or soft? Who’s favorite color is it? This might give you an idea to focus on “like” and “dislike”. It’s pragmatic, nonhazardous, and fun.
Make tastings easy for your children
Take an endeavor to introduce changes carefully. Try to use an accepted savor or appearance as a bridge to new foods. If the texture is a balking point, then step by step introduce foods that are healthier and nutritious for your children.
Say Positive Things about the Food
Eagerness is transferable. For instance, you know roasted carrots are good for the kids but you personally don’t like them. Create eagerness in your child, just take a bite or two yourself and set an example by saying supportive things. “This looks so good!” A small bite of your child will build a pleasant family routine.
KEEP TRYING
It takes great effort & a long time to adapt a kid to a new food. In the case of some children, it takes 10 to 15 times to test a new food before trying it. So, continue offering fruits and veggies to your child that you make for the rest of your family. Be patient. If you can follow this, it will be great.
SOURCE: UNITED NEWS OF BANGLADESH