Picky Eaters

There are many foods that my daughter is still reluctant to try, some would never touch her plate, much less her lips? My son is more of an adventurous eater.  At this age some children aren't as adventurous as others— but it's too soon to tell how fussy they'll be about food in adulthood.

In the meantime, there's nothing wrong with dietary monotony, so long as your child eats a reasonably balanced mix of foods. Forcing your child to eat or punishing her when she doesn't will only backfire, giving you a child who is angry or obsessed with food.

Do encourage your child to at least accept the presence of what is served on her plate. She doesn't have to eat it, but she does have to be gracious about it. Teach her not to openly criticize foods she doesn't like.

Some families permit a child to make a peanut butter sandwich if she doesn't like the meal served. Many nutritionists recommend not allowing any substitutions, especially if you want to broaden the palate of a picky eater. I found myself becoming a short-order cook, tailoring different plates to all the different palates at your table.

It can take ten or 20 exposures to a food before your child accepts it. She may never have an adventuresome palate, but it doesn't hurt to continue offering. Many finicky kids remain this way until peer pressure and the demands of adolescent growth kick in during primary (middle school) and secondary school (high school).