by Lisa Doherty

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 22, 2009

Encouraging your child to try new foods is a parent's difficult dilemma. We want them to try new things, especially when it is nutritiously beneficial, yet many of us hate the very foods we hope our children will like and excitedly encourage them to "just try!" We all remember the horror of staring down at a plate of brussel sprouts or some other hated vegetable, knowing that we were expected to force the unpalatable objects into a more than reluctant maw; yet, many of us couldn't get up from the table until the nasty objects were eaten or covertly fed to a dog, who obviously had no taste buds.

In learning from our own dinner time battles, we know that children are not going to like everything we present, no matter how cleverly we disguise the food. So, how do we encourage our picky eaters to at least try new foods? Here are a few helpful hints to encourage them in their discovery of what they truly do or do not like.

EXAMPLE: We cannot expect our children to eat something we will not. Even if you hate it, don't start that battle of "Why do I have to eat it if you won't?" The best way to get a child to try something is to have them consistently see you eating it. Find ways to prepare the food that will make it easier for you to swallow. Check different ethnic varieties of preparation. Not only does this expose your taste buds to different types of cuisine, but your children will grow up with a much wider range of reference when it comes to preparing and serving food. There are so many world cultures, each offering a unique take on the same basic food. This is a great way to expose children to new cuisine, while educating them on world cuisine and culture!

OBJECTS: If you are preparing an ethnic dish, have something from that country on the table for the child to use when eating the meal or the food. Children love to eat with chopsticks and you might find that all their broccoli disappears once they are able to manage holding it with a different utensil. For Polynesian style, try putting the little drink unbrellas on the table and let them know that those are the rewards for eating their poi. It may seem like bribery, but all we really want them to do is try the food. It is a small price to pay and a creative parent can really use these objects as teachable moments that will pay off in the education of the child. Plus, as ad added bonus, the child jsut might find that he or she simply adores chicken when prepared in curry!

PRESENTATION: How a food is

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