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Hi Anaylticsman:

Here are some conversations around picky eaters.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/11/2864

http://www.bettycrocker.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/11/3032

http://www.bettycrocker.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/11/2718

http://www.bettycrocker.com/CommunityForums/forums.aspx/11/44

Hope you find some of the advice helpful.

Sincerely, CC

My 6 yr old is very picky himself. He likes some foods, soup, crackers, and broccoli are his faves first hand but he will try to eat anything except for certain fish products. But when he does eat, he is like me in many ways, very ocd about things, his food can not touch. For example, I just can't get him to eat foods that are mixed together, he loves peas and carrots but if they are mixed peas and carrots, you might as well forget about it. One thing that I have found that helps out a lot is getting them to help you in the kitchen, just so they can see that the food is okay and such. I know that he really enjoys when he can help me in the kitchen. Its fun for them and they get to see the food before they consume it. I know that probably did not help at all, I guess I was just stating that my 6 yr old has the same problems. lol. If you hear anything that can help, please let me know as well. Thanks and have a great day.

Hi , in some schools in Hong Kong, they have a little farm in the school, so the students plant , remove grass, water the plant daily and bring the products to cook in the school. Many parents were delighted as their child was so picky, but after planting the veggie, they eat all they have planted and will not waste any tiny bit of veggie as all were planted by them.-- Hard work !!

If you have a pot or ground , try to plant veggie with children, may be this will help too.

Is it a behavorial problem or does she just not like other foods?  What happens when you try new foods?

Kids LOVE to test limits and they also have their own "taste" in many things.  Your child may truly not like the taste and/or textures of certain foods.  Best bet is to pick out three or four different recipes you want to make.  Let your child choose ONE of those, then allow him/her to help make and serve the meal.  Creating ownership and having choices may help ease limit testing.

I would definitely get her involved in the kitchen, albeit in simple and small ways.  You could start by making Rice Krispie treats together, for example.  So easy, so fun, and who doesn't like them?  She might start developing a "taste" for wanting to spend time in the kitchen with you (quality time with mom), which would make her more vulnerable to food options in an environment full of variables.  Another idea is putting one of her favorite foods (peanut butter) on celery sticks, but letting her assemble.  The more she can take part in the "cooking", the more fun she'll have, which may lead to a fuller, more developed interest in opening up her world of food options.  Try giving her what she likes at mealtime with the stipulation that she try something alongside the mac&cheese that she's never tried before, like corn on the cob (kid friendly) or peas and carrots, for example. 

Any suggestions for a infant/toddler who when they started feeding themselves started regected pretty much everything he didn't like the color or texture of.  He ate everything as an infant.  I made my own baby food and made sure he had a variety and even when he started with solids he ate up everything I gave him.  He now wants only breads, cheese and some noodles.  He will literally inspect what I give him pull it apart and eat what he wants and toss the rest.  It's driving me crazy because he refuses things he once devoured.  I'm so paranoid and dreading this bad habit will stick if I continue to give in, but he is stubborn and wont budge.  What do I do.  Oh and he is my first child, so I may be overreacting but I'm so torn about this. 

It could be the consistancy of the food. Some toddlers do not like the feel of gooey or stringy foods. The food as an infant was smooth and food for toddlers has chunks and he may not like the feel on his tongue. Try things like variety of color on his plate or even no color at all. Like potatoes, steamed cauliflower and banana slices they are all around the same color and may make him think and try it just to see what it tastes like. If you fo with the colorful plate, try chicken fingers or nuggets (nuggets preferably) they are softer and less chunky than the other, and then add some soft carrots(glazed) they give a little sweet flavor, and then maybe some peas. I have three children and none of them are picky, but my oldest went through alittle bit of this same thing when she was going from baby to toddler food, but she was also drinking cereal in her bottle at 2 weeks old also. I am not a go by the books kind of mom and all my children are happy and healthy :D brandyday78  is my email at yahoo if you want to email me and we can chat some more about more ideas that is up to you. Best of luck to you.

How about grilling some chicken on stove maybe with a little butter s&p. Melt some peanut butter in it. Make sure she sees you putting the peanut butter in. It's good I promise.

By the way, I have a 17 yr old football player who was picky...very picky now not so much lol. A 12 yr little Rachael Ray who creates anything and everything. She was only picky for a very short time and now that she loves cooking she'll try a lot of stuff. Loves salads and must buy raw spinach for them. Oh, and my 3 1/2 yr old who used to eat great but has recently decided to do mac and cheese, cheese sandwiches, burgers, nuggets but  rarely from anywhere but McD's, she hasn't drank milk since she gave up the bottle before 1...thank God for all the cheese and the ones with extra calcium. She knows the names of all the veggies I bring home and inspects them but then when I ask her if she wants some she holds her hand like a stop sign and says in a firm voice, "NO THANK YOU!" She also does the peanut butter. What is it with little ones? The older one grew out of it so I'm sure this one will too.

What is it with picky eating these days? I know it's very common. I ate whatever my Mom set in front of me, and was happy to have it. Are kids not getting enough physical activity to be actually hungry at mealtime? Do they get fed something else if they refuse the prepared meal? Do they get too many snacks, particularly juice boxes or soda? Perhaps, but I suspect it may be a reaction to the child having too many food choices. They are overwhelmed, so they limit themselves to what they know best. Diets back in the 50s and 60s didn't have the variety of today. 

My daughter has picky eaters. She gives them a choice of what to eat, in order to avoid meal time meltdowns, but then they must eat what they chose. 

rhiamom:

What is it with picky eating these days? I know it's very common. I ate whatever my Mom set in front of me, and was happy to have it. Are kids not getting enough physical activity to be actually hungry at mealtime? Do they get fed something else if they refuse the prepared meal? Do they get too many snacks, particularly juice boxes or soda? Perhaps, but I suspect it may be a reaction to the child having too many food choices. They are overwhelmed, so they limit themselves to what they know best. Diets back in the 50s and 60s didn't have the variety of today. 

 

My daughter has picky eaters. She gives them a choice of what to eat, in order to avoid meal time meltdowns, but then they must eat what they chose. 

My 8yr old sounds exactly the same. I actually have to make a completely different dinner for him than the others. I know I shouldnt but he would lierally starve. I just make sure to give him a vitiman everyday and hope the phase will go away. So in otherwords, your not the only one. Im sure he'll eventually give in,all we can do is just keep trying.   

THE CONFESSION OF A PICKY EATER!

I was a very picky eater and just one of the reasons was I did not know what I was eating, but the biggest was...... I stole sweets before dinner was ready.  I seriously can not wait the long hours that most adults wait to eat.  I grew up with a set time to eat...... and I would get sick and I stole sweets, then I did not want to eat.

I am one of those that really needs to eat SOMETHING healthy about 6 times a day..... very little and I am still considered very skinny by all that know or have seen me. 

Supervision is KEY..... no junk food, no stealing food...... therefore you need to provide some small, healthy alternative till you get home from work and the family sits down to eat together.