How Do I Get Them to Try?

Lately my boys (3 and 8) have been eating broccoli because I steam it (only fresh...they don't like the frozen) and then spray it with the butter spray.
Another suggestion......get those wooden skewers and make fruit kabobs....kids love those.
You can also use the wooden skewers....put tomatoes, cheese, meat....etc?
Small salads with RANCH....crushed croutons and cheese on top.....cucumbers......?
Good luck...I know it's tough...but continue to offer the healthy option...if you don't then you aren't going to change anything.

Maybe you can have them help you prepare dinner.My kids love to help me cook,and my 9 year just made pancakes by himself yesterday.

You could try hiding different foods in the ones they already eat a little chopped up broccoli in mac and cheese, some baby spinach or any other type of green in a salad with the lettuce, that kind of thing. At thier ages and what i do with my kids, i told them taht we were going to try to eat healthier and every week we were going to try onenew food, and then we went to the store and they took turns picking out the food and helping prepare it, it amde it fun and they actually tried things, we found out eggplant is gross, lol, none of us like olives but radishes are good with plenty of dip or in a salad, ground turkey can be substituted for almost anything that needs hamburger and the kids can't tell the difference between veggie burgers and real ones, whole grain pasta and tri color pasta taste just like regular if you use speghetti sauce, which again you can mince and toss in all sorts of good veggies. cauliflower comes in purple and orange naturally thoguh i'm not sure how and tastes the same but it's more fun when your food is purple and almost anything tastes better coverd in cheese sauce.

some of my kids' fav recipes are peanut butter banana and raisin toast
ants on a log which is celery with pb and raisins
yogurt covered raisins are great and more like candy than regular ones
a sliced banana with sugar sprinkles makes a great snack
apples can be dipped in almost anything and taste great and if you cut things into cool shapes kids are likely to try just about anything.
hope this helps some good luck.

I just saw a commercial for V8 that has 100% daily vegetable and fruit but only tastes like fruit juice. I haven't tried it yet but intend to because my eldest isn't big on veggies. It's probably not as good as fresh veggies and fruit but it's better than nothing. Hope this helps!

I am 58yrs and a Grandmother . This is how I handled it in my home and it worked. I would make what they liked and I let them see I made what they liked. But before they could have their choice they had to take two bites of a food they didn't like. This gave them new taste and each time I served it the rule stayed the same.They most always became to like the food. You can't bend on the rule or you will be right back to where you started. C. S.

Get rid of the hot dogs and salami!
The amount of nitrites they must be getting is certainly NOT healthy.
Give small portions (1-2 tablespoons)of the potatoes and corn and one new thing on the plate.
No treats or snacks if they do not eat what is on their plate.
Do not run a restaurant out of your kitchen.
Cook healthy meals and expect them to try everything.
If they are hungry they will eat....just keep doing what you know is right.
Remember, the more colorful the food on a plate, the more healthy it is.
In other words, if the food on your plate is all white, then it is probably empty nutrition.

When my boys were 3 1/2 and 2 1/2, I was in the same situation, so I made up my mind that I was gonna make changes. So I started putting all food groups on their plate for lunch and dinner, I used small portions, and they had to eat it inorder to get anything else. I did it for lunch and dinner everyday, I figured at least they would get 2 servings of vegt at day, and I introduced new foods a lot, etc. It was hard at first, but after a while they would see my husband and I having snacks or dessert and realize that they wanted that too. So now 3 years later, they eat everything, and it is seldom a problem. They eat chili, broccolli, green beans, carrots, celery, green peppers, red peppers, onion, salad, spinach, all meats, rice, beans, all fruits, avocado, peas, chicken noodle soup, spaggitti.

Just keep trying! And make sure you are eating the healthy things in front of them. And just as a heads-up, potatoes and corn are NOT vegetables. They are starches and belong in the grains and breads category, not the veg! Best of luck!

I had the same problem with my boys. I put a small dab of everything that was for dinner on their plate. They had to sit there until it was gone. One of the first few times we did this, my younger son then 7 at the time, sat at the table until 2:30am. I don't have to fight with them anymore. They have to eat at least a tablespoon of everything, they take more of what they like, and they don't get up until everything is gone. If on the rare ocassion I do let them up early, like if we have to go somewhere, no snacks until the next meal. Water and that's it. I had to do that because my older son figured out that milk can help fill you up. It will be hard the first week or two, but stick to your guns, and you won't even have to say anything after that. I asked my doctor what if they don't eat? He said they will eat when they are hungry. Human instinct will take over and not let them starve if there is a plate of food in front of them. Another good rule is you are the adult. Do not let them have control. They will tell you you are bad, and they may even say they hate you, but better that than be malnurished.

Hi T.!
I understand your concerns. When my kids were small we were vegan, but as they grew and family functions and parties became more, we had to give in alittle. Now they like the not so good for you food and my oldest is only eating maybe two veggies.

I have some tricks, first, what ever they will eat that is good, offer it alot. second, get creative. if your kids like pizza, i add one jar of pizza sauce with one small box of frozen peas and carrots (thawed) into a blender (don't let them see you doing this), then we make our own pizzas, sometimes adding toppings and making funny faces out of veggies. the other thing i do weekly is make fruit and veggie muffins, my kids don't like zuchini or yellow squash, so i make muffins with them and also carrots and apples or what ever i have on hand. third, if you don't buy it, they can't eat it! i stopped bringing junk into the house and slowly weaned them off of the stuff i don't want them to eat. always offer new things, maybe they try it maybe they won't, but if that's all they have, they won't starve themselves. there are healthy alternitives, if they love hotdogs, get turkey or chicken ones that are more natural, but limit it. let them help you make food so they are interested in it.

good luck! here is my recipe for the muffins. when it's a special day we add a little frosting. i have also used as little as 1 cup of sugar to cut back on the sweets.

M.

Fruit & Veggie Confetti Cupcakes (Muffins or Loafs)

Pre Heat Oven 350

3 Eggs
1 C. Oil (Safflower or Canola)
1 ½ (or less) C. Sugar (Pure Cane Organic)
3 Tsp. Vanilla
2 C. Flour (Unbleached, Wheat Pastry or White Wheat)
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
¾ Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tbl. Cinnamon

Add 4 C. of any combination of:

Apples (grated)
Zucchini (grated)
Yellow Squash (grated)
Carrots (grated)
Pineapples (crushed)
Raisins, Cranberries, Cherries, Apricots, Coconut (any dried fruits)
Sunflower seeds, flax seeds
Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans (crushed or ground)

Mix eggs, sugar, oil & vanilla, add salt, baking soda & powder, cinnamon and flour. Mix well then add the 4 cups of fruit & veggies.

Bake approx. 15 min (for cupcakes) 50 min (for loafs) or until toothpick comes out clean.

Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick butter (room temp)
1 8oz pk of cream cheese (room temp)
1 16 oz pk of confectioners’ sugar
2 Tsp. Vanilla
2 Tbl. Orange Juice
1 Tsp. Cinnamon

Cream together butter, cream cheese, vanilla, oj and cinnamon. Slowly add sugar (if bumpy sift).

I took some advice from a pediatrician friend of mine and thought I would share it with you and any other moms that may be going through this with their picky eaters. Dr. Christine Wood has a website www.kidseatgreat.com that I encourage you to visit to find some helpful and practical advice.

You are loved,
D.

My kids are younger but when my son turned 3 he all of the sudden became SUPER picky. So much that he didn't eat for 2 days. When my family eats, we only fix one main thing and if the boys don't like it they don't eat it. This has only happened twice and my oldest didn't eat for 2 days because of it. On the third day he ate what we ate. I don't want to enable my sons picky eating so he eats what we eat.

One of the things we insist on is a "No Thank You Bite" It is required at all meals and of all items. This way we can get our daughter to at least get a taste before she says no. It helps that she is willing to play by the 'rules'. We do try to make it as fun as possible and we don't make it a punishment...just a habit at every meal. They say it takes 15 times of trying something before you start liking it.
Good Luck

Hi T.,

I also have a difficult eater who actually just came around in January of this year. She still isn't as easy as my older daughter but she's not screaming in disgust at the sight of veggies any more. I'm actually preparing for a "talk" on the subject for the Bodyfest 2008 health conference. More info at www.healthyalterego.org.

First I would say, make sure you are eating what you want your daughter to eat. As you know, kids love to copy their parents, siblings and friends. Next I would say do NOT buy what you do not want her to eat. You may have to be more strict about this at first until she is eating more of a variety of foods. Don't worry, she'll still get junk outside your home. I don't buy crackers, goldfish, white bread, hot dogs or sugar filled snacks because then I don't have to battle it at home. Fill the refridgerator/counter with fresh fruit and veggies and develop the mantra "would you like a fruit or vegetable" to chant when you hear "I'm hungry."

I hope this helps a little. If you want more support, check out my web site at www.cincyhealthcoach.com I'd be happy to talk to you one on one.

P.

I think because you are homeschooling your have the perfect opportunity to let them learn what they are doing to their own bodies. I have four daughters and they make good choices because they want to be healthy. I would get books on nutrition, there is a good Usborne book, "Why We Shouldn't Eat Junk Food". After they have done the work, take them to pick out one fruit and one new veggie at the grocery store. My girls often want to buy something I don't think they will eat, but when they pick it out on their own they usually will at least try it. We also have the one bite rule. They have to at least try one bite of each thing on their plate and sometimes they suprise themselves (and me) and like it! Aspargus is a hit now because of this rule. And dips help, my girls like to dip in mustard and ranch dressing the veggies they like less. (you can find the Usborne book at www.ubah.com/t2694 Good Luck!
C.

It may take a while but CONTINUALLY use the phrase..."It's so much fun to try new things." AND.....remind them that they don't have to like everything. I'm a former pre-school teacher who had kids who would hold their nose and not try things. By the end of the school year, their parents were telling me that THEY were the ones telling the younger siblings that it's fun to try new things AND.....that the children NOW eat or at least try everything they put in front of them.

You need to talk to them about WHY they need to eat them.....help them not get sick, help them poop, give them energy to play, helps them see, etc. They need a reason to make the connection (so do adults for that matter....but that's another story) Anyway......remind them that most people don't like everything and they don't have to but they'll never know if they don't try.

With veggies...try them different ways....raw, with dip (a LITTLE) steamed, etc. Remind them that each way tastes different and let them find the way THEY like them. Something is better than nothing!

If they find veggies too bland.......try McCormick's vegetable supreme seasoning. I haven't found a kid or adult yet who said they didn't like broccoli yet turned around and ate it when I fixed it and LOVED it. REMEMBER....spices & herbs have NUTRIENT VALUE TOO....they are plants!

Abbie loves lemon pepper on her peas. She can't eat them fast enough. Lemon pepper is good on lots of veggies, too. Experiment and let THEM help pick the seasoning sometimes. Many times......they'll eat it if they have helped prepare it.

I started out my FIRST full day of pre-school (we cooked EVERY day except field trip days) by having THEM prepare a peanut butter and .......sandwich. Jelly was NOT an option..rather apple, banana, raisins, honey, pickles, etc. AND....they were NOT allowed to choose white bread. I had three or four options. The rules were....what they made they at least had to try. I had kids eating RYE BREAD at three and said they liked it! EXPOSE them to experimenting and learning. Get them involved in helping choose things at the grocery. A little more time consuming, but in the long run...all of you can learn to enjoy AND...they will have food choices to make EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. START NOW!!! It IS fun!

I always told my children there are too things for supper, take it or leave it. Fix the meal a little later than usual and don't let them snack before hand. Then you know they are hungry, and you tell them "i'm sorry thats all i had to prepare tonight. Take a taste and i'll bet you you will eat it.you can also use a little bribery, but don't use cookies ,candy etc as a reward.
You can try concealing the new food in a casserole or fix it in a fun way, or even give it a fun name. My kids weren't crazy about broccoli till i said we're having some trees for supper, peas were little green balls, sour cream on tacos was snow.
There is a berenstein book called "too much junk food', other children's books can be read to them regarding food.they can learn a great deal from books and that way you aren't nagging at them and they feel they have learned something new and can make changes in their life choices.
Salami and hot dogs are probably 2 of the worse meats you can give a child. Very high in sodium and cholesterol. I had a neighbor who's kids wanted hot dogs every night or spam. When they had a yearly physical the doctor checked their cholesterol. The girls was 265 and she was only 8 years old, the boy had a 235 reading.we really have to watch diets and exercise from an early age.
And remember if you don't buy it, they can't eat it.

my son is 5 and tries the quote with each meal "i hate..."(whatever i made to each basically)...i would just tell him he's never had it before, so he can't hate something he's never tried. then he gets quiet and tries to play it off like he never said he hated it..lol. i just put about 2 tablespoons of new food on his plate and tell him he doesn't have to eat all of it, but he does have to try it,now he eats fish, peas, carrots, broccoli, all the "nasty" stuff he thought he would hate.

Picky eaters are very common. My dd is only one, but she is already a picky eater. I've been told by a dietician to just keep offering them new foods. It can take kids a long time to try something new. Perhaps you could insitute a two bite rule. They have to take two bites of something different at each meal. Also, you could try not fixing them their own meals. Insist they eat what the rest of the family eats. I don't think you can force a child to eat something. You can only offer and then it's up to them. Also, don't offer snacks in between meals. Unless they are healthy; fruits, raw veggies, etc. I don't know if that will help or not. If you are concerned about their health, offer them a vitamin or possibly Pediasure or something like that. Perhaps the kids doc would have more suggestions.