Need some more help introducing new foods? Here are some of our favorite tips to encourage children to try new foods:
1. Make them more available. Keep healthy foods in areas children can easily reach and in sizes, shapes, and textures that are right for their age. Examples include cut-up fruits, like apples and grapes (sliced vertically to avoid choking), or vegetables, like celery and carrot sticks.
2. Model good behavior. Kids tend to eat the same foods and in the same manner as their parents. Let your child see you enjoying healthy foods and trying new foods.
3. Make positive comments about new foods at meal times. Giving foods fun names has been shown to increase the amount that kids will eat.
4. Let your child pick out new healthy foods at the grocery store. Children are more likely to try a food if they are the ones to select it.
5. Eat more meals as a family. Eating together in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere (no TV!) will likely increase the number of healthy foods your child will eat.
In case you missed it, read Part One and Part Two of our Raising Healthy Children posts!