VERY VERY Picky Eater..........3 Yrs Old and I Need Serious suggestions...HELP

I have a very picker eater. I lived in the south and worked with a very southern lady. My kids and I were at a party with her and she scowled at me the whole time as I tired to get my then 5 year old son to eat something that was being served. She made me feel like crawling under the table, like I was doing something wrong- but the truth is, that my son is just a really really picky and won't eat a lot of things.

If he is crying and having a big fit- then you are making a much bigger deal about the food then is necessary. Just give it to him, tell him to try it- and if he doesn't then don't give him anything else. No milk, no juice..just water. Then try again with the next meal. Don't make special things for him, just serve him what everyone else is having. It will be hard at first, but he will eat more foods.

My son is now 6 1/2 and still very picky- but I taught him to find something on the plate that he will eat. For picky eater you need to teach them not to look at the whole plate as yucky and see things differently.

I didn't take the time to read all the responses as my picky eater is sitting in my lap :) Try sweet potato fries and see what happens. I make "mama" fries - cut fresh baking and sweet pototaos into strips, toss with olive oil and seasonings ( I use paprika for regular and cinnamon for sweet), then bake in the oven. My son loves them and they are healthier.
Gotta go play trains :)

If you look back over mamasource this is one of the biggest questions.
We as mom are happy when our kids eat, but they cannot be forced..
I sent this earlier today to the other mom with a 3 year old very picky eater...

Children will not starve themselves..
They also go through growth spurts where they cannot eat enough and other times, when they are just not hungry..

I always keep sliced veggies in the fridge. We are allowed to eat as much as we want.. There is also a fruit bowl always filled with fruit and in the summer, sliced watermelon, washed berries, grapes, plums, apricots, peaches.. We are allowed to eat these at any time as much as we want..

If while preparing dinner, daughter was hungry, she could have a cheese stick or some fruits or veggies.. But we had the rule that you do, that we all sit and eat together. Give her a small plate with a taste serving of everything you have cooked. If she eats something, do not say a word, just give her another tasting of that food.

She does not have to try it or eat it, but if she does she could receive a sticker for being a brave taster.. No ugly faces, no ugly comments.. When she receives enough she can pick what will be served at a dinner as our daughter got older, if she did not like what was served, she was allowed to serve herself a bowl of non sugar cereal. No comments were made..

Lots of parents report that their children "refuse to eat." It's a completely normal stage, and by itself is usually pretty harmless (though not ideal from a nutritional point of view), and in spite of their parents' deep anxiety, their kids aren't wasting away. In fact, many of the same parents mention that their kids are in the normal weight range. They are just very, very particular about what they would choose if left to their own devices. It's so common that some development experts think it may be a way for kids not to poison themselves by sampling every plant and bug that they can get their little fingers on.

Understandably, parents get anxious about their children not eating enough, which often leads to mealtime battles, which in turn can lead to long-term food issues, up to and including serious eating disorders. The unfortunate few toddlers are blessed with eating problems that do call for medical intervention, often associated with sensory integration issues.

Kids this age can be genuinely disgusted by certain flavors and textures, and that reluctance to try various foods can last for several months to a few years. Imagine a hostess offering you grasshoppers and sheep's eyeballs at a dinner party (gasp, choke, gag…).

My 4yo grandson isn't much of a mealtime eater. He's never been much of a self-feeder, but if he's engaged in interesting conversation, he'll usually accept bites of food from his parents, which they offer because he's on the skinny side. He is usually willing to "graze" on high-quality snacks, like cut up apples and fruit, raisins, sweet peppers and cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, whole grain crackers and cheese, omelet, yogurt, olives, peanut butter on toast…. Quite a healthy diet, actually. His preferences can shift quite a bit from month to month, and are most likely signaling that his body needs more of certain nutrients. We've also noticed that if he doesn't get to eat right when he feels hungry, the feeling will often pass and he'll have absolutely no appetite when dinner is ready 25 minutes later.

Many kids are much better grazers than mealtime eaters, and that's actually a fairly healthy and natural way to eat. They can grab a few attractive/nourishing bites right when they are feeling hunger. You might consider trying that, along with having him sit with you for a little while at meals to maintain a pleasant family bond. My grandson likes to have a small, attractive plate of food which he hardly touches, say grace, make "toasts" with a little footed glass, tell stories. He's usually great company, but gets restless quickly. His parents make him stay at the table for a little while, but excuse him when he's too distracted. And his habits are getting more "civilized" by the month, so this leniency is not spoiling him.

It's completely normal for kids' appetites to disappear completely for days at a time. Making kids eat foods they dislike, aka force-feeding, makes for an unpleasant mealtime experience, which further kills appetite. It also teaches some of us to eat when we're not hungry, which can become a very unhealthy habit later on.

Have you tried baking your own "fries?" Cut fresh potatoes into strips, brush them with olive oil and salt lightly, bake in a hot oven until browned. Yummy and healthy.

I hope you'll consider offering a variety of healthy foods, and keep empty calories out of sight, or better yet, out of the house. Sugary and processed snacks are too attractive and easy, and tend to replace healthy eating even for lots of adults.

My younger daughter has a tendency to be very picky as well. She will turn 5 next month. It was such a shock to us because our older daughter would eat absolutely anything right from the start.

What we decided to do was to continue to put whatever we were eating in front of our younger daughter. If she ate it, fantastic! If not, oh well. We don't say a word - not. one. word. As parents, my DH and I only pick the battles we know we can win! And since we're not willing to force-feed her, we don't even pick this battle. So, some days she eats, and some days she doesn't, but as always, it is her choice. She is a normal weight so it's not like she's malnourished. It IS really hard not to say anything, but the more attention you give behavior like this, the worse it gets. At least, that has been my experience so far. Now that my daughter is almost 5, she is getting a lot better about trying new things. In my opinion, you should not cater to his weird whims or make special meals for him. Just give him what you're eating and let him eat it or not, without making a big deal of it.

I have one picky eater and two that aren't. (I have a 1, 3 and nearly 6) Three is around when you can start setting house rules and it gets easier to enforce them. Between three and four kids get a little bit more open to reason... So hang in there!

I can't help on the french fry thing.. I don't let my kids eat them or drink soda. I don't make them at home - but I never have. Closest I come is tater tots... could you maybe try making homemade fries like Sweet Potatoe fries? Or other things out of potatoes and showing him how it's the same veggie? Get him to branch out that way.

What about having him help you cook? Like making personal pizzas one night and getting a bunch of toppings out -- let him pick what he wants on his pizza. Make funny faces, decorations, whatever.

In our house... We have a "three bites" rule. Whether you like it or not - you must eat three bites. I've gone so far as to serve the food I know will be a problem first, alone.. before giving the other foods I know they will like. I don't let my kids have their drink at dinner until they have eaten at least half of their dinner, what I learned was my picky eater would fill up on fluids and then refuse food. I also don't allow grazing. That really reduces the problems. We do have snacks -- but its light and set. Breakfast, snack, Lunch, snack, Dinner. Cutting on the grazing helps because they are a lot less argumentative when they are genuinely hungry. Also, it helps if I don't let myself get into a cooking rut. If I make the same 10 dishes every few weeks that doesn't expand the kids palates. So the more tastes and variety I can offer them - the less likely they will turn up their nose.

I do agree with Moms that say don't cater to it. Don't make special dishes just for him. Then you're just setting yourself up for an even bigger battle.
Good luck. I hope you get some advice that really helps.

Hi ~
just answered a similar question for another mom (it was a picky eating girl). Here is what I wrote:
....
Please know that although it may feel like it, you are NOT alone. I would recommend that you seek out professional help (e.g. ask your pediatrician for an occupational therapy or speech therapy referral for feeding ** make sure the therapist has feeding experience). You may also want to consider seeing a pediatric behavioral psychologist that specializes in feeding issues. Unfortunately it will not be a quick or easy process to get her to expand her diet. For some kids feeding issues can be caused by medical issues (food allergies, food intolerances, GI issues, constipation, etc), sensory issues (food textures, food colors, smells, gagging) or oral motor issues (e.g. difficulty using tongue, lips, cheeks, etc to move food in the mouth thus the person can’t control it to safely swallow leading to a gag response). Psychologically eating new foods for a child with true feeding issues is like asking you to eat a worm (you would probably want to gag, refuse and not open your mouth).

I find that some kids (typically the ones I work with) who are severe picky eaters will not eat - even if they are hungry. Diet needs to be expanded carefully and respectfully. Is there a children's hospital near you that has a "feeding team"/”feeding clinic” (doctor, speech therapist, occupational therapist, feeding psychologist, dietician/nutritionist). If so I would encourage you to make an appointment.

Here are some other tips to try:
1) Make sure you do NOT force feed her
2) Try your best not to feel overwhelmed/stressed during meal time (she will feed off your stress (i know easier said than done - I'm sure this is VERY stressful for you)
3) place a food that you are eating (that is safe for her) in front of her (without ANY expectation that she will eat it).
4) let her “explore” food – this allows her to learn the properties of food (smell, feeling, sight) – try art projects such as cutting apple dipping in paint and making a picture, take cool whip and smear on a plate and draw in it
5) offer foods she eats and try to expand within the same food area (e.g. if she eats banana and yogurt. You can also mix banana with the yogurt or have him dip it). Place a spoonful of peanut butter on the plate with her bread and encourage her to dip it – letter her put as much/little as she wants
6) encourage her to touch new foods to cheek/lips (WITHOUT expecting her to eat it) – cheer/provide positive feedback when she does this. Eventually encourage her to lick it, then eventually bite it (this may take 10-20+ exposures before she bites a new food) ** may need to wait for this step until you are able to have a feeding specialist support you

Remember you are not alone, you need to be patient and also know that expanding her diet will not happen over night.

I hope that helps! Good luck!

i would not force him, i would continue with the chart, and i would cut out the fries. swapping them for sweet potato fries is an excellent suggestion. it sounds as if you have trouble dealing with either end of the spectrum, either forcing him to eat what he hates or refusing to give him what he loves. i agree with you on the first count, but i'd dig in my heels at the second except when it's good food. let him have all the grapes he wants, serve something that he *might* try at each meal, let him have a choice spectrum of foods he is willing to taste at meals, but outside of that i would let this issue go. he will not starve himself, and people will judge you no matter which way you choose so ignore them. this is a control issue, so remove the source of conflict. you have veto power, but other than that let him choose what he refuses out of the healthy choices you give him. keep fruits and whole grain baked goods available, and serve good veggie-packed soups, stews and entrees for dinner, offer fruit smoothies and oatmeal or at least non-sugar cereal for breakfast, and let him be hungry if he wants.
khairete
S.

My son is like that. They sound like twins.
A "battle" like this cannot be won. It is not a contest, or a war, or a battle of control... the child is picky. Super picky. You cannot "force" a child to eat, much less drag a horse to a trough.

Sure, there are ALL those ideas which you have tried. But they have not worked, right?

You may want to find out, if he is sensory sensitive. My son is to a tad degree.... with textures etc. But still, he will only eat what he eats.
BUT he is healthy and in the 98-99th percentiles in all aspects, per his growth and well-checks. He takes vitamins too.

It is irritating, when other "Moms" are judgmental toward other Moms with food-picky children. They are not dumber than other Moms. They have scoured the Earth, for all sorts of tips and tricks and have tried it. I know I have.
BUT for me, I choose, not to battle my son about food. I know his style of eating as well... he is a "grazer." He does not eat just out of emotion or boredom. He only eats if he is hungry. He will not eat just because the clock says it is "meal time." He can't even tell time. He is only 3.5 years old. He has no food hang-ups... he is just picky. But when he is hungry or craving something, he will tell me... and he does NOT tantrum about food. Like other kids.
This is my son. He does not eat like everyone else. And since he has started "solids" as a baby, he has increased his likes of certain other foods. Just a tad. But that's progress for him.
He is himself. And I am ultimately glad, that he does not over-eat, nor eat just out of emotion. His "attitude" toward food actually, is quite healthy. He is just picky! :)

All the best,
Susan

Hi.
I have a picky eater as well. I have read several books on the topic, talked with the ped, and have gone to a picky eater workshop. The good thing is that they really all say the same thing about how to approach a picky eater. Here is what I have learned/done.
--You can only control what you make and give your child. You cannot and should not control what and how much they eat. So no forcing a certain number of bites. I let my child lick the new food and if she doesn't like, that's fine. Tasting and swallowing food is two very different things.
--Make a list of all the foods your child will eat and then place those on a calendar over a month so that you are not making food that only he will eat but you are making diverse meals. This was really helpful (include snacks here too.) Think about veggies like beets and parsnips...include everything.
--Always eat dinner with your child and everyone eats the same thing. I was eating with my husband later in the evening but now eat with my children. We all get the same meal. I do not make "kid foods" unless we are going out to dinner or getting take-out once every couple of weeks. A big part of dinner is the social side. If my kids are upset about the meal, we just talk about the day.
--Give your child jobs around the meal-set the table, sprinkle cheese, put bread on the plate...
--Once a child reaches 3, you can say, "This is dinner. You will not get anything else until tomorrow for breakfast." If they don't eat and are cranky, they will figure it out within a few days that they need to eat. My two are under three so about 30 minutes after the meal, I give my daughter (very small) a pediasure. Later, I set out fruit. If you choose to do this, do not give the snack right after the meal. You don't want to say that if you don't eat the meal, you get something else.

I have learned a lot. It is a struggle each day at dinner time but I keep doing the same thing because I see small steps--she eats pepperoni, salami, black beans, hummus and pita chips, and more. And, she will taste a lot of foods and over time, she will eat them. She even asks to taste veggies as I am cutting them up for dinner. We have been doing this since November so it is slow, but I know it is the right way of doing things. You don't want your child to have negative feelings about food and you need to present healthy, diverse options. Stay strong through the process--there are nights I have to repeat in my head that I am doing the right thing.

Good luck!

You are an awesome, amazing mom who has come up with brilliant and inspired ideas on your own!!!! I never thought of a reward chart for trying food!!!! You rock!!
Have you looked into either "sneaky chef" or "deceptively delicious"? I based my entire pampered chef business on this. You can make fries out of other things, add pumpkin purée to mac and cheese... Etc. You're welcome to swing by and look at my books if you live in falls church or nearby. Also- try letting him help cook. Kids sometimes are so proud that they will eat what they make...because it sounds like he is just exerting his personality and trying to control something in his life. When you look through his eyes you may feel powerless... To be so small and still learning how to control arms and legs let alone where you get to go and when. Big picture- if the docs aren't worried then don't worry because he will grow more confident in other things and then outgrow needing to control his food. But he's lucky to have you as a mom!!! You're doing great!!!

You could consult with a feeding therapist for help until he is back on track. A great resource would be any of Ellyn Satter's books: Child of Mine: Feeding with Love and Good Sense, or How To Get Your Child To Eat... she's great and you will learn so much that will help your son and your whole family.

Greetings,

Having a similar picky eater, I can understand how you feel, and it can be extremely frustrating if not nerve racking for any parent. Since my daughter also loves french fries, I started to think about why most kids love french fries, and since I also love french fries, it was an easy answer, fried foods are more tasty, so here is your answer as it was mine.

Granted, you have to be careful what you fry your food in, so not knowing this in every case with commercial products, you have to use the right oils, healthy ones, so experiment with the best frying oils to start with, and if you are not aware of all the oils, or dangers of some, start here so you can increase the nutritional benefits of your fried foods, not demish the healthy benefits. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_oil I avoid canola and prefer coconut, peanut and several others, but you have to learn the difference, and don't deep fry, pan fry is better. Of course, the potatoe type also is important, and you might want to try frying sweet potatoes, very good alternative.

Once you dial in on the healthiest oils, try frying other foods like vegies, you would be amazed at how good vegetables are when fried, just like chicken, you can experiment with coatings, bread crumbs, flower, etc. I love fried foods too, and sure enough, we were able to get my daughter to ask for various fried alternatives to potatoes, so worth a try, sure works for us. As to proteins, needless to say, if he doesn't like meat, that is tough one, and everyone is different, but as for myself, I would prefer a good hamburger over a filet mignon steak, so tastes are variable, so experiment.

Another new food line I have been researching involves a breakthrough which allows our bodies to absorb the maximum nutrition from everything we do eat, a critical issue given most people eat junk food, and by this I am not referring to only fast food, but white bread, processed, enriched, you name it, and it is bad for us, even milk is useless unless it is not pasteurized which is common. Sadly, we have been duped for years on the value of milk, but look for non pasteurized milk which is becoming more popular in recent months and many local farms now offer it to locals to insure it is fresh. If you child likes milk, then you must go with the most nutritious form of milk. This new microbrial enzyme product insures our bodies absorb all the nutrition in product, up to 70% more, and it is an all natural product which increases good basteria essential for nutritiona absorption while eliminating the bad bacteria which attacks our immune systems which is the crack in the door for all disease which must be kept shut. The even have snack cake like twinkies which are far better tasting than any of the junk twinkies, taset ten times better, and are loaded with proteins along with these super absorption microbial enzymes which makes this the first truly healthy snacks or meal replacement as there are several types being introduced next month after years of testing. Worth learning about for sure, this is a nutritional picky eaters dream come true. Combined with better absorption of foods nutritional value, combined with supplements for poor eaters is critical, and this too is offered through TamPogo-Fundraiser.com which is committed to feeding starving children which is where this amazing breakthrough originated from, feeding starving children. Well worth your time to register for free to see.

Health to all, Mike
TamPogo-Fundraiser.com

My sister's kids are picky eaters. Especially Hunter. If it's not chicken nuggets, fries, or pb&j, he won't eat it. He is 5 and his brother is 3. With both of them (I watch them way to often) I tell them that they eat what I serve or they kitchen is closed. Stove is taking a nap (for Bridger and his cute 3 year oldness) Some days the will eat a couple bites and then I will excuse them and some days they wont eat anything. It's ok if they don't eat every meal. As long as they are staying hydrated, I think they will be fine. I love your idea on putting the protein in the shake. I'll have to try that sometime. Maybe also get the Flintstones vitamins. I still love them. I had to take them as prenatal because they made me sick.
But I agree with Peg. Try making your own "processed foods" and make them the healthy way! I LOVE sweet potato fries. I have been feeding my 7 month old lots of mashed sweet potatoes hopping that he'll love the fries later. What I do is rub some olive oil on the pan, cut the potatoe in slices, then put a little cinnamon and a pinch of salt to balance the sweet and bake for 30 minutes at 350 then 10 minutes at 400 to get a bit crispy.
I also have an AMAZING recipe for chicken nuggets. It's on my blog if you would like to look at it. I have a link on my profile. When I first tried them, I seriously did not want any but me to have the nuggets. I think I'll make me some tomorrow :)

My son is the same way. At meals I serve him what we are having, and one other item I know he will eat like fruit or yogurt. If he wants to share in any dessert we may be having he must try everything on his plate, and not just lick it, he must take a bite, and swallow it. If he makes himself throw up he leaves the table and is done with his meal. It is slowly getting better, but it really is a matter of time. My older son went through the same thing, and at 6 is just now getting to were he will eat more foods.

Every child goes through this. As long as he has not fallen off his growth curve just keep offering stuff. My oldest went two years where all he would eat was chicken nuggets & macaroni & cheese. So I did whole grain mac & cheese and baked chicken nuggets. I still offered veggies and other stuff. I also started a multivitamin per his pediatrician's advice. I also got him involved in cooking with the rule that if he helps make it he HAS to try it. I got a variety of children cookbooks that have great pictures and show kids enjoying the food. It worked great! Now he eats sushi, bison, all sorts of fish, salad, etc. He will try just about anything.

Keep a food journal to really see what he is eating. You may be surprised that he is getting plenty to satisfy his 3 year old body. Be patient and don't make food a battle. Good luck.

All I can say is that I understand and that I used to think I had it all figured out! I have a 4 year old daughter who went through a brief phase of being picky, but I stuck to my guns and only offered her what she got and now she is a great eater. Enter my son, who will be 2 on Saturday. Totally different scenario! He is a MUCH more strong willed child and there is no amount of coaxing, bribing, begging, ignoring, etc. that is going to make that child eat something he doesn't want to eat. And he will scream like you're beating him if you don't give him something he does want. My pediatrician keeps telling me he will grow out of it and so I continue to wait for that to happen. He really is starting to get a little bit better lately, but it is such a slow progression that it's almost painful for me. We do have a lot going on in our household right now, so part of the problem may be that I just don't have the stamina to follow through with the "you only get what is on your plate" thing, but I think a lot of his issues are with texture. I wish I had a magic answer for you, but I don't. What worked beautifully for my daughter does not work with my son, so not all kids are the same. I am ashamed to say that I probably used to be one of those people who would say "why don't you just make them eat what you want them to have?". I have been humbled by my son since he is such a challenge. So, let me apologize for being one of those people in the past (although reformed!). I hope that you find something that works for your little one. I've kind of been at the end of my rope with mine for the past 6 months trying to get him to eat new things, but he tried pizza the other day and some beans from my taco soup, so he's making progress! Hang in there. You do the best you can. Give him a vitamin and try not to stress about it. :-)

Please consult your son's pediatrician if you haven't already; not only will they give you some suggestions, but they will put your worries at ease too. My daughter has gone through some phases and her pediatrician said to not measure daily intake but weekly (wouldn't know if this goes for all kids or just mine)
Ttwo of my sister's kids are extremely picky and in their case the pediatrician has not set any limits (any and all foods, even all chocolate & ice cream they want- in their case doctor wants calories) She struggles with daily meals, however when they visit me I have little problems getting them to eat. I love to bake and make fresh breads and muffins for them; they eat them right up and my sister wouldn't believe it if she didn't see it for herself.
Again check with the pediatrician and don't worry about being judged a bad mother, kids are kids. Good luck!

I did not see this listed when I glanced over the replies, but you really might benefit from reading Ellyn Satter's books How to Get Your Kid to Eat: But Not Too Much and Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family. I really appreciated them (I borrowed them from the dieticians where I work) and she does a wonderful job of focusing on your role in feeding your child (which is to offer appropriate varieties of food at appropriate intervals, in a nutshell), and your child's role, which is to choose if and what to eat. My 3 1/2 year old is often rather picky, but I am working on plugging away on some of the ideas. I now let him start with whatever part of his meal he wants, but before he has seconds on his favorites, he has to eat ___ bites or pieces of each other food on his plate. He knows I mean it, and I am reasonable (there are foods that make me gag and we won't serve, so everyone is entitled to really hate some things of course). An example with stew recently--he had to eat one carrot, one piece of celery, one piece of potato, and one piece of beef before he could have seconds on his bread. I made a tuna casserole recently and he mostly pushed it around (took the "before you can get down" number of bites and that was it), the next time I served it I added some cream to make it more refreshed, and he did the same thing. The last time we served it (gotta love big casseroles!) he took the first bite after whining for a while and then ended up cleaning his plate. If he eats poorly, I do not give him a snack an hour later--I remind him that he can eat his dinner but he will not be eating again until the next meal/snack time. If it is sooner and he insists he is toooooo hungry, I give him the option of whatever he turned down originally.

As I said, we are new to this. I think my kids have peanut butter sandwiches almost every day, so kids are going to have easy, favorite foods no matter what. A lot of children dislike meats--we rarely have had them eat meat well. My 2 year old loves egg salad sandwiches (he mostly likes the eggy mixture), so you could try preparing things different ways. Sitting with my kids and eating with them helps (instead of washing dishes or picking up while they are at the table). I also mix in spinach with scrambled eggs and do other things to help them get veggies in. They actually like them like that.

We have some "junk" we fall back on, like frozen chicken pieces with breading (we like the dinosaur ones), which I heat in the microwave for speed, it keeps them softer, and there is no oil added.

Do you have your son cook with you? A lot of children are more interested in food if they have helped prepare it. If you have a local farmer's market or anything, or even just try at the grocery store, make your list with your child and start talking about all the different areas of nutrition, food groups, etc. Talk about where our food comes from, why different things are so good for our bodies, etc. We have a food pyramid on our fridge and my kids love to talk about. If you go to www.mypyramid.gov there are lots of activities, printables, downloadable pictures, customized food pyramids, and nutrition ideas. If it is a power struggle we are more likely to fail. My kids like to tell me what foods are treats, what foods make their bones strong, etc. The other concern I had was if your son is drinking too much milk--do you measure it out so he doesn't get more than he should? I know that can suppress appetite and interfere with iron absorption, making the problem with pickiness worse.

Sorry to be so long-winded. :) I am married to a picky eater and definitely struggle with my kids much of the time!

Hi , your son sounds a lot like my son , he also became very picky with food around 15 months old. His diet became very limited and still is (he's now 7). He still will not eat any fruits or veggies , pasta , pizza. What his does eat is fries , chicken nuggats , sausages , burgers , bread , crackers and other similar things.
I will say do not make an issue of trying to get him to eat , and take 1 more bite or just a lick , you will have a battle on your hands and it really is not worth it. Your son does eat some goods foods , so I would give him what he likes , and put a little selection on his plate. What we were told is if he asked to try a new food then let them , don't however try and get them to taste a new food. Also at 3 yrs old he really does not notice what other kids are eating , they are not yet socially aware where they want to do the same as there friends , this happens around age 7 , my son has actually asked to try hotdogs (something that would not have happened before) and he actually likes them....yay something else to feed him!!!

Anyway what I am trying to say is , don't worry too much , as long as he eats something then he is doing good , fingers crossed he will grow out of this sooner rather than later , but be prepared for it to go on longer.