Never Fail Technique to Get Your Kids to Try New Foods

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22 Votes

Convinced my son at an early age that new taste buds grew on his tongue everyday. He is 7 and still believes it. He will try anything, although a lot of times it gets spit back out.... But he will try it again tomorrow.

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Leah added this item on February 3, 2010

LisaPW voted on February 3, 2010

Sarah D voted on February 3, 2010

Sarah D commented on February 3, 2010 - Awesome!

Ashley E voted on February 3, 2010

Tara W voted on February 3, 2010

Tara W commented on February 3, 2010 - That is awesome, I love that.

Lynn T commented on February 7, 2010 - I love this! What a great idea--I'm sure my kids would totally go for it!

Leah voted on February 9, 2010

Debbie M voted on February 13, 2010

Carol H voted on February 13, 2010

Margie L voted on February 13, 2010

Lynn H voted on February 13, 2010

Judi P voted on February 14, 2010

Jeanne B voted on February 14, 2010

Janis S commented on February 15, 2010 - Awesome Mom Move!!!! :)

Melanie B commented on February 15, 2010 - I looove that. I am going to try that. Thanks for sharing!!

Mommy of 1 ☼ voted on February 15, 2010

Teresa B commented on February 15, 2010 - I am recommending this one to a picky eater I know

Monica B voted on February 18, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

Lori B voted on February 19, 2010

Sapphireyes voted on February 22, 2010

Sapphireyes commented on February 22, 2010 - Thank you for this idea! I love it because it's true, and because it's likely to be effective. I'm going to try it!

NotJustAnotherJennifer voted on February 22, 2010

Tracey W voted on February 28, 2010

Sandy J voted on January 15, 2012

Charisse M voted on January 25, 2012

Mum4ever♫ voted on January 28, 2012

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7 Votes

I never insisted that my daughter finish everything on her plate, nor that she eat foods that she did not like. Before you could declare that you didn't like a food, you had to have actually tasted it - no "I don't like that. What is it?"

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Christina N added this item on February 13, 2010

Laurie S voted on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Mq Q voted on February 13, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on January 28, 2012

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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7 Votes

My kids eat more things if they help cook it. As one mom put it, "Show them what you put in it. Once they know you're not poisoning them...."

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Susie L added this item on February 13, 2010

Tamberly G voted on February 13, 2010

Becca F commented on February 13, 2010 - this actually helps! it's how my mom got me to learn how to cook. :)

Becca F voted on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Sarah M voted on February 13, 2010

Mommy of 1 ☼ voted on February 15, 2010

Heather S voted on February 28, 2010

Charisse M voted on January 25, 2012

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7 Votes

Put ketchup on it.

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5'sthenew4 added this item on February 12, 2010

M G voted on February 13, 2010

Laurie S voted on February 13, 2010

Beth F voted on February 13, 2010

Alana S commented on February 13, 2010 - LOL!! That's MY kind of food - anything with ketchup on it! :-)

Alana S voted on February 13, 2010

Anna R commented on February 13, 2010 - mine will not eat ketchup!

Becca F voted on February 13, 2010

Sharon C voted on February 16, 2010

Lori B voted on February 19, 2010

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6 Votes

My son also responds well when you explain what his foods do for him - i.e. his milk is making his bones super strong to support the massive muscles the protein (beans, etc) is helping him build.

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Sarah D added this item on February 3, 2010

Sarah D voted on February 3, 2010

Annie R voted on February 13, 2010

Anna R voted on February 13, 2010

Becca F voted on February 13, 2010

P S voted on May 30, 2010

Charisse M voted on January 25, 2012

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5 Votes

He eats what I eat. There's always at least two different vegetables. If he doesn't want what is for dinner, or he's not hungry, he doesn't have to eat it. But there's nothing else to eat until breakfast. It's his choice.

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Catherine D added this item on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Angela I voted on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

Brandy R voted on February 20, 2010

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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4 Votes

We have a rule: "You don't have to like everything, but you have to try everything." My 4 year old knows is and follows it, my 2 year old not so much, but we aren't going to inforce it until she is 3. And no dessert or seconds unless all food is gone.

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Stacey M added this item on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Mq Q voted on February 13, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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4 Votes

We have a ten bite rule. The kids are welcome to any treat they can prepare themselves (fruit, yogurt) instead of dinner after they've had 10 bites. And on rare nights when that doesn't work, there is the "no, thank you" bite.

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Sarah D added this item on February 3, 2010

Sarah D voted on February 3, 2010

M G voted on February 13, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

Diane G commented on February 18, 2010 - I also do the no thank you bite. Ive never heard anyone else call it that.

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3 Votes

my kid used to be very picky about what he ate. so to get him to try things i would think of one of his very favorite action heros like spiderman, hulk, batman, and say" did you know that this is spidermans favorite food". may be silly but it worked

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Viktoria N added this item on February 2, 2010

LisaPW voted on February 3, 2010

Vicky voted on February 8, 2010

Becca F voted on February 13, 2010

Teresa B commented on February 15, 2010 - This sounds good too He loves Spiderman

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2 Votes

The best way is to start them trying new foods from an early age. We have what we call a "no-thank you helping". If there is a new food they have to take a small helping, just enough for a taste. Then if they want more, they are welcome to it!

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Kay M added this item on February 13, 2010

Donna S voted on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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2 Votes

Even though I know my kids won't like something, I put at least two bites full on their plate. In order to have anything else to eat after dinner, they must eat those two bites of whatever it might be. My kids now actually enjoy some of those foods.

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Tara B added this item on February 13, 2010

Donna S voted on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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2 Votes

I introduced new foods early, and if they want to try it I let them. Even if my husband and I don't care for a food I give my children the oppurtunity to decide for themselves.

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Suzanne W added this item on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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2 Votes

I don't give them options. They are welcome to refuse anything and get whenever they like but they do not get anything else until they eat everything on the plate they are served. They resist at times but in general they eat anything now.

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Angela I added this item on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

Brandy R voted on February 20, 2010

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1 Votes

I always tell my 3 yr old daughter, try it and if you don't like it you don't have to eat it, that way she learns what she likes and what she does not.

Nisna C added this item on February 20, 2010

P S voted on May 30, 2010

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1 Votes

I credit the book "How do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food" for a huge breakthrough in our home. When I give new foods I say, "try every new thing at least one small bite" and they giggle and get the opportunity to act like dinos while they taste it.

Mindy A added this item on February 13, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

I learned at G.S summer camp about taking a "No thank you" portion and so I do the same for my kids that must have the spoonful amount and try it or have some. One spoonful is not unreasonable.

Lisa T added this item on February 28, 2010

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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1 Votes

I explained to my kids early on that the vegetarian dinosaurs (and other veggie animals) got big from eating their fruits and vegetables and the carnivorous dinosaurs got strong from eating their meat. I just remind them of this if they show resistance.

Cindy S added this item on February 13, 2010

K M voted on February 14, 2010

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1 Votes

I started pureeing vegetables and fruit and putting it in the foods I cook that I know that they like. It was so time consuming so now I buy organic pureed baby food in a variety of veg and fruits and add a few of them to verythign I prepare for them. !

oandf's mom added this item on February 13, 2010

Mommy of 1 ☼ voted on February 15, 2010

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1 Votes

In my house, it's two of the adult men who are so picky they won't eat hardly anything the rest of us eat...no chicken, fish, pork (except for bacon) most casseroles...HELP! I'm a short-order cook in my own house!!

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Kat H added this item on February 13, 2010

Donna S commented on February 13, 2010 - I can't get my husband to eat anything beyond pizza and pasta either. If he won't eat what I made he can make his own! He's just not allowed to influence the kids, so in front of them he has to either eat or pretend to eat what I made. Good luck!

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

I use the three bite rule, meaning you had to have at least three full bites of everything offered on your plate before saying you don't like it. My daughter will be three in May and eats better than my husband!

Carole P added this item on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

My husband and I will cook it and treat it like some gourmet treat, refusing to put any on Kiddo's plate, because "we don't want to waste it on him", making big nummy-num noises. Kiddo usually waits 'til we're not looking - then steals it from our plates

Kate S added this item on January 26, 2012

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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1 Votes

We pureed food & put on the plate in whole form as well. We also introduced diff food early. We always told them what it was & was good for. We make a big deal about new foods to try. Our kids have eaten jelly fish, tripe, bugs, seaweed...Just try 1 bite!

Michelle C added this item on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

Our fav is the "food game"they ask for.Tried while talking about senses.They close their eyes,I give them a bite at a time to feel,smell & really taste & think on.If they don't like it,it's not used again.It also includes a treat,& other foods they know.

Brandi G added this item on February 13, 2010

Sophia C voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

I have a 24/7 daycare,40yrs. now,and have always gotten comments on the kids eating broccoli,cauliflower, mixed veggies, etc.. All I do is mix them with something they love; like mac and cheese,top ramen etc. Works for me..CHARMAINE HAMLIN...

Charmaine H added this item on February 13, 2010

Diane G voted on February 18, 2010

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1 Votes

We made it a family rule that you have to at least taste everything at the meal before you can have seconds on anything. Since it was always that way, the kids, and even their friends, did not resist much. Over time they became omnivores.

Kirin L added this item on February 13, 2010

Jessica E voted on February 13, 2010

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0 Votes

Try to make a game out of trying new foods: Have them try one bite and ask them give you a thumbs up or thumbs down.

Suzie N added this item on February 14, 2010

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0 Votes

I make my daughter at least try it. (she usually likes it in the end) My son is competitive. Make it a game to who finishes first. Works everytime with him!

Jessica S added this item on February 16, 2010

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0 Votes

i don't believe in giving kids under 3 candy or desert. I believe they should be served fruit for desert because it is sweet enough. After 3 desert is only an option if they ate everything including things they "don't like".

S P added this item on February 1, 2012

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0 Votes

We just recently discovered a new (and simple) way to get our toddler to eat something that he is reluctant to try. We chant his name and clap (like we're at a sporting event) and he excitedly tries anything! Who knew it was that easy???

Sharon C added this item on February 16, 2010

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0 Votes

I put a little of everything my husband and I are having for dinner. I don't ever force him to eat anything, but usually after the 5th or 6th time he will try it.

Anna added this item on February 19, 2010

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0 Votes

At x-mas time,I told my 3yr old to try oyster soup. Everyone told her it was gross so she wouldn't try it.she loves chix nuggets. I told her the oyster was a nugget and she tried and liked it. I then told her what it really was.

Jodi R added this item on February 27, 2010

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0 Votes

good suggestions and here's a good blog post on children who are "picky eaters." http://blogs.goddardsystems.com/Cedar-Park-TX/2009/12/26/is-your-child-a-picky-eater/

Carol H added this item on February 13, 2010

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0 Votes

Have an older cousin or neighbor (a "big" kid they look up to) tell them. An "older" (6th grade) cousin told my kids when they were about 3 & 6 that every new food you try adds a day to your life. Now 12 & 15 they'll try most things - except tripe. ;o)

NY Metro mom of teens added this item on January 23, 2012

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0 Votes

I didn't give my child solids until 6 months. He was so hungry, he ate everything! Whatever I cooked for my husband and myself, I used one of those zhzhzhz-wands, you know, the Salton gadget that pulverizes &purees broccoli & asparagus& anything you eat

Billie E added this item on February 18, 2010

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0 Votes

I've noticed an aversion to knowing what the food is. I don't tell them what it is until they've tried it...they loved cauliflower soup and their mushroom ravioli even after I told them what it was! What a surprise!

K M added this item on February 14, 2010

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Latest Items Added

0 Votes

i don't believe in giving kids under 3 candy or desert. I believe they should be served fruit for desert because it is sweet enough. After 3 desert is only an option if they ate everything including things they "don't like".

S P added this item on February 1, 2012

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1 Votes

My husband and I will cook it and treat it like some gourmet treat, refusing to put any on Kiddo's plate, because "we don't want to waste it on him", making big nummy-num noises. Kiddo usually waits 'til we're not looking - then steals it from our plates

Kate S added this item on January 26, 2012

S P voted on February 1, 2012

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0 Votes

Have an older cousin or neighbor (a "big" kid they look up to) tell them. An "older" (6th grade) cousin told my kids when they were about 3 & 6 that every new food you try adds a day to your life. Now 12 & 15 they'll try most things - except tripe. ;o)

NY Metro mom of teens added this item on January 23, 2012

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