How do you get your picky 4 year olds to try different foods? I swear kid eats the same things everyday and it just makes me feel like a horrible mom!
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I’ve been letting my 5 year old help prep food before I cook it an he’s excited to try it once it gets done.
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I let my 5 year old eat what he likes. Gotta pick your battles at this age. He’s getting better about trying new things. I don’t push the issue though.
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My 4yr old isn’t too picky. She definitely isn’t a meat eater. Usually if I have something on my plate that isn’t on hers she will ask me about it and be curious. I will ask if she wants some. Sometimes it’s yes and most times it’s no. As long as they are eating (not junk food, like cookies, sweets, fast food, etc all the time) then it’s okay. It’s better to let them eat what they like and are their comfort foods. Get them some vitamins, offer a change in food sometimes, and continue being a great mom. Your baby is eating and that is the absolute most important thing. You are doing wonderful job hunny.
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I always make my son try things atleast one time. Again in 5 years he will try it all again
Taste buds change daily for him. One week he loves something and then he will refuse to eat it for months
I tell mine they’ve had it before and loved it. If that doesn’t work we only ask that they try a bite and if they truly don’t like it that’s ok.
4 year olds tend to eat that way honestly. When mine were younger I used to have them at least try the new foods or foods they didn’t think they would like. I tried to make things I knew they liked most days though. My kids now are 15 and 17 and not too picky and not much they won’t eat, and love most veggies. (Although my 17 year old doesn’t like bacon…I know crazy right). Just be patient.
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Keep trying use a divided plate so the new food don’t touch the food they like 2/3 of food should be things they like and one thing new/dislike
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If you’re talking food aversions, there is Occupational Therapy you can look into.
Go to a restaurant where everyone is eating different things. Tell your little one it’s only for adults. Have child eat dinner at someone else’s house who won’t cater to her nuggets/burgers/pizza ;or whatever) diet. Give the child kids vitamins or Pediasure.
Add a small spoon full or piece to the plate with things they like.
Always ask and be like it’s ok if you don’t
And if they ask to try something even if you know they will not like let them. ( except for allergies or restrictions)
My 3 1/2 your old will eat anything just about and keeps trying the stuff he doesn’t like. Bless him he wants to like pickles so bad.
I sneak it in. Zucchini tots were not a big hit but he did end up eating them. Cauliflower rice with cheese sauce, I told him it was cheesy rice and he loved it.
Always offer your child new foods along with their favorites but I wouldn’t make a huge deal about it. It’s there for them to see and smell and after a while they might try it. I think also eating the food in front of them and commenting about how great your food is might make them more apt to try. Also get them involved in food prep. Helping prepare the food can lead to them wanting to try what they made.
Overall, I wouldn’t be super concerned. In most children it’s completely normal to only want to eat a handful of their favorite foods. Just keep offering and they will expend their food likes as they get older.