I told them it was magic oatmeal. Before I dished the oatmeal into bowls, I put a couple of drops of food coloring in the bottom of bowl. I told them that they had to stir their oatmeal once the milk was poured. One had blue oatmeal and another red, green, and yellow. They got so excited they couldn't wait until they got their next bowl of oatmeal. They learned their colors at the same time!
By cj from Minot, ND
I bought a clear glass dinner plate from the $1 store. I set the plate on top of my granddaughter's Strawberry Shortcake placemat. When she eats her food, Strawberry starts to show through. My granddaughter gets all excited about seeing what is underneath. By Louella from Billings, MT
I can't get my 6 year old to eat anything besides junk. I know if I don't buy it she can't eat it, but she won't eat anything then. She's an only child so it's not like she has a big kid to follow. I eat everything healthy you can think of, but she pays no mind to that. I'm constantly fighting a losing battle. Any ideas?
By CraftyMom from Pasco, FL
By Crafty Mom10/07/2010Thank you all! :D LOL. Well I figured she wouldn't starve. It's nice to know I'm not the only one with that idea of "take it or leave it". That's my best option! I guess sometimes when you don't know anyone in your position, you start to question the choices that you make. Like I said, thank you, thank you!!
My 8 year old son is getting pickier and pickier with food. He used to eat Chicken Nuggets, Grilled Cheese, Mac N Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Burgers and Hot dogs. Now all he wants is pizza.
He refuses the Nuggets saying they are not cooked right (but they are the same as always). Hot dogs he says we burned once and now he will not eat. Burgers, can only be cooked on stove and now he is saying he does not like the taste.
I think he has a thing with textures. All he wants is pizza or sometimes cheese tacos and only Granny Smith Apples. Any suggestions? We do try and make him eat other things but it is a long drawn out fight of wills. Is there a doctor I can take the child to and they would explain to him the importance of eating good? Help, I am so frustrated.
mom of 2 from Westland, MI
By (Guest Post)06/12/2008There can be several reasons why kids are picky with food, - control issues, lack of exposure to other foods, medical or there are maybe some other emotional issues that need to be looked at. My kids are 12, 9,& 6. We have several episodes over the years of kids being fussy. I asked the kids was it was about the food that they did not like - taste, texture, smell etc. I also showed them a nutritional chart of what they were supposed to eat and we looked at the different foods in each section.
The only rule was that they had to have something from each section. We started with fruit smoothies, fruit bread, bananas and cheese and salad wraps. Each week we would look at the chart and see if they wanted to try something else. We also looked at cook books and went to food halls etc to see how different foods looked and tasted. We tend to eat a lot of salad, so I have several large serving plates that I put the salad, bread, meat etc on and the kids help themselves.
For hot foods, they come to the kitchen and tell me how much of each item they will eat. I record what has been eaten day and at the end of the week we look at the chart and see if they have eaten a balanced days foods. We talk about what other foods might be added if the balance isn't right. My 6 year old son hates meat - he will eat mince, bacon and chicken on pizza. I make burritos, which he make himself, BLT's and different pasta dishes.
I make homemade pizza and home made muffins and cakes that I can add sultanas etc into. He hates having foods hidden in favorite foods. I don't cook special meals for him. I have adapted some of my recipes to suit him. If he does not eat what is served, He knows the alternative is fruit bread, some slices of cheese, carrot and cucumber sticks and a glass of milk - but this is only on offer 3 times a week.
At the food hall we look at different foods and maybe buy a small plate so we can sample different cuisines. He tried Fried, vegetable curry etc several times and now loves them. I also use the method described above - we all sit at the table to have dinner and the kids have 30 minutes to eat. If they play with their food - it goes on the counter and is covered with glad wrap. If they don't eat - there are no snacks.
I have also started giving the kids a bigger afternoon tea of several fruits, cheese, crackers, nuts and one sweet item. As they are hungrier after school than at tea time. I make savory muffins, fruit scones and piklets that can have fruit added to them. I found the chart works great as the kids get healthy eating lessons in school (in Western Australia they do) and it is surprising when they look at the chart what they pick up.
When we go out - I give the kids a snack before we leave and ask the host if I can get the kids to serve themselves. I find this works really well. If the kids don't like what is on the table, so be it - they just have to sit quietly while everyone else is eating. Any complaints or whining is dealt with by been given a warning and then time out in a quiet spot.
A nutritionist or dietitian may also be able to help. My doctors advice was to write down what they ate during the day to see what they were eating. Good luck
I have a 5 year old son who has autism and he is a picky eater. He only eats French fries chicken nuggets and pizza from Lil' Caesar's. Can anyone suggest any tips to get him to eat more foods?
Queede from Detroit, MI
By tigra12/28/2010I am the mama of a four year old autistic daughter who is thankfully for the most part not a picky eater. I second the Jessica Seinfed book, it's awesome. The other thing I would suggest is to not have processed food around make everything yourself, removing that fast food incentive might help you get past his only wanting those few things. I have a god son who is a white food child so I know how hard it can be. Everyone has some great ideas, the only thing I would add would be too make some of the recipes in Deceptively Delicious and also include veggies and fruit on the side. Model good eating habits and tell him how much you enjoy whatever it is. Next spring get some seeds and plant a small vegetable garden with him, help him take care of it even if its in pots. Plant some easy to grow things like lettuce, melons, tomatoes, and zucchini then cook with his produce he might like eating his own things better. Best of luck.
We recently moved from the UK to Florida. My son was already a fussy eater but would eat chicken, sausages, fish fingers, pasta shapes in tomato sauce, cereals with milk, bread, and yoghurts. Now here in the US he won't eat anything, except some chips (fries) and a fish stick if we are lucky. If we ask him to try stuff we think he'll like he goes into a panic and makes up his mind he don't like it. How can I get him to try stuff without him going into melt down? It's heart breaking.
By Athers1
By louel5310/13/2011Jo Frost, Supenanny, dealt with this on one of her shows. I have forgotten what she did, exactly, but I suggest you google her and find where you can watch past episodes about this.
I don't actually think this is a food issue; I think this is a power struggle and control issue.
Does anyone have any suggestions for how to get my seven year old son to eat anything but bread and butter? I have tried everything I can thing of, but nothing works. Unless we give him his bread and butter he won't stop crying. I don't know what to do, it is ripping the family apart. Please help.
By Brooke
By MartyD05/26/2012I had some picky eaters back in the olden days. It became apparent to me that if they get hungry enough they will eat. If the bread and butter aren't available he'll eat other things if he gets hungry enough. Take a holiday from bread and as mc4life says fill the plates before putting them on the table.
I personally think a 7 year old should be past the time of crying to get his way. Tell him what a big boy he is when he doesn't cry. There is also the issue of proper nutrition. You need to consider that and really get this young'un to where he will like good things in addition to the b & b.
My child is a very picky eater. Over the top. He will only eat a certain type of chicken nuggets from a certain store. That was for a few months, now he won't eat them. He is the same with salami. He won't eat really any veggies except the occasional not cooked carrot or canned green beans. He will not eat meat except a certain type of hamburger cooked only on the stove top. He is afraid of the texture and look of food. Last night he cried for 20 minutes because we made him eat 1 piece of broccoli and 1 cooked carrot that were dipped in ketchup.
<p>I know, make him sit until he eats, well he will go for over 2 1/2 hours (he is 7). Any suggestions to help a picky eater with sight and texture phobias? Being cruel and forceful with this child is a waste of time. In every other aspect he is a great caring fun loving child. He is not autistic so I know that is not his problem. Thank you.
Lisa
By Joy (Guest Post)01/09/2008Speaking as a former [and still] picky eater, make sure your son is ok medically and just give him what he likes. He may have a very sensitive stomach. Lots of common foods can make some people sick/nauseated. I am 35 and I was a very picky eater as a child. There are still many foods I can't/won't eat. Try giving him plain foods, with maybe a touch of butter. No condiments, spicy, pickled, vinegary or spicy foods. Bland things without any spice. Try chicken breast, white rice, potatoes, pasta and oatmeal. As long as he is getting enough calories and some variety he will be ok. I learned to cook for myself at a young age because I knew what I could eat without problems. Good luck.
I have a 7 year old son that will not eat any healthy food. He does not eat any kinds of meats or seafood, no veggies or fruits. The only thing he likes to eat is dry oatmeal, granola, and chips. He does not like mushy foods or any kind of condiments.
I just wanted to know if there is any kind of supplement that we could buy for him at the nutrition store? Thanks.
By Marilyn
By Debbie5204/01/2010You might want to try PediaSure if he'll drink it. It contains complete nutrition. I give one to my son every day to give him the nutrition he needs plus the extra calories. I buy the Wal-Mart version called Parent's Choice which is cheaper. By the way, he hasn't missed a day of school all year!
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Dealing with Picky Eaters