Getting 3 Year Old Interested in New and Different Foods

My family eats in a family style manner. I make dinner with new stuff and the old stand bys that I know everyone will eat. All my kids love raw veggies with ranch dip so I always have that out on the table. Then I have the chicken, new cooked veggies, pasta whatever. The kids pick what they want and the older ones place it on their own plates the little ones I will help them put what they want on their plate. This gives them some feeling of control and they always suprise me when they try the new stuff. But if they don't like any of the new stuff they eat the stand by and I am okay because it is some type of veggie. The kids just need to see it so they get used to it and maybe after the 25th time seeing it served they will try it.

I have recently had great success in getting my 3 year old twins to try new foods by letting them make things themselves. Neither of my kids would eat a sandwich until they actually made it with their own two hands. Now they want sandwiches every day. Let your child get involved with preparing his meals and he may be more willing to eat them. Good Luck!

I completely agree with getting your son involved in the cooking process. My 4 year old took a cooking class when he was 3 that taught them all about food, how to cook, and why certain foods were good for you. He now preaches to my husband about his eating habits and has actually become a pretty good helper in the kitchen (after many messes). Pampered Chef makes some kitchen utensils made for kids that we love to use.

i like the 3 rule that another mom suggested. the first thing i did with my 4 year old when i wanted her to eat only what we were eating, was to say NO big time to giving in and letting her have what she wanted. the first step toward getting kids to eat more stuff is to give them the more stuff as their meal! i've heard that it takes 7 times before someone is used to a new thing (versus 20), and that seems to be true at our house -- within about 3 meals the kids will accept that they have to eat the meal, and within 5-6 servings of the same thing they like it (or at least eat it beacuse they know they have to).

We are having the same problem, our pediatrician suggested putting their food (something new) in front of them when the meal is over putting away the food, do not give anything till next meal and offer a new food again she assures us she won't starve and will be hungry enough to eat it.

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i enjoyed reading the responses. i have to laugh because my 2.5 yr old has allergies and now when he doesn't want something (green beans example) he'll say "i'm allergic to that".

oh, no you are not.
ha.

Continue to introduce different foods. Some will stick, others will not. At least a few new or revisited foods each week - don't be afraid to reintroduce foods days or weeks later. My kids have to try at least one bite full. Getting him involved in the cooking process too is fun. Making smoothies is nutritious and a fun snack. Adding cheese to veggies is good too if he's not good at eating veggies. And you have to be willing to try foods YOU don't like too. My family and I like salads but I don't like all types - my husband just bought endive (sorry - don't like!) and my kids made ME eat it before them, last night. (and I STILL don't like it!) Good luck!

The book First Meals by Annabel Karmel has great ideas and tons of recipes to help introduce little ones to new foods. Not only would it be great for your toddler, but it would also be helpful for your 6 month old. I highly recommend it!

C.,

I would start by having your son help you in the cooking process if you can. My son, who just turned 4, usually eats better if he is involved in making it (ie. I measure out the ingredients and he pours them). He has never eaten pork chops like he did when I used crushed crackers for the breading and I had him put a bunch of crackers in a ziploc on cruch them up for me. He had a great time crushing the crackers and it got him to eat great.

My husband and I don't make our boys eat something if they don't like it but they have to at least try one bite and we do hold strong to that. Now, if they say "I don't like green beans" we still make them eat those because we know they do like them and just don't feel like eating it. Our rule is more for new things and we just keep having the new food and keep making them try one bite everytime we have it.

Good luck!
Jessica

C.,
Since you are a teacher might I suggest a book to read with your boys. It is called "Eat Healthy, Feel Great" by Dr. William Sears, MD and his wife Martha, who is a RN. I work with nutrition and have had the opportunity to bring this book into elementary and preschools to read. After we read the book, we play fun games with "Traffic Light Eating". If you get the book you will know what I mean. There are wonderful ideas for healthy food and snacks. Shaping childrens tastes when they are young is crucial for success. If I can help in any way, please let me know.
N. - Nutrition Naturally
www.jp4ahealthieryou.com

Hi. I read somewhere that you have to introduce a food 20 times before a child will readily eat it. I don't know about that. Offer a variety frequently. For my girls, I have a 3 rule. It goes like this: You have to take 3 bites. One for your head, one for your tummy, and one to see if they agree. Now sometimes my kids will say my head and tummy agree that they do not like that! But usually, they do like the new foods and the 3 rule makes them giggle. My girls are 3 and 5. Good luck!

If your son has a food he's crazy about, use it as an incentive to try the new things. Our 2 year old LOVES grapes and blueberries (and to a lesser extent, strawberries). I keep a small dish of one of these prepared at my seat at dinner time, and dole them out one or two at a time after she takes bites of whatever it is that she's being stubborn about. She has eaten almost anything to get them. We used to just put them on her plate with everything else, but then it was the only thing she would eat.

Kids love to snack make the introduction to the food fun. For example you might want to set up little party trays and mix the new things you wants to introduce with the old. For example if you want them to eat more veggies mix the plate with some other finger foods. If its something you can cut up into interesting shapes with a cookie cutter this may work. Also food coloring boys tend to be more visual so if they don't like the appearance they wont be receptive. And last but not least lead by example, we usually want our children to have better eating habits than we do. Since kids love to eat off our plates try introducing them by offering them something you apparently are enjoying yourself.

Mom of 1 growing girl.Aunt of many little boys!!