Surprisingly Practical Tips To Really Overcome A Preschooler Picky Eater

As a first time mom, you may be wondering why are preschoolers such picky eaters? They likely started out eating everything, then one day they just…didn’t. Picky eating is a struggle that plagues the mom community. According to The Washington Post, there are studies that indicate that picky eating ranges from 14 to 50 percent in preschoolers. This is a staggering number that indicates you are in good company of moms of a preschooler picky eater. However, parents definitions of what picky eating is may vary.

I used to call my son a picky eater when he ate less than 20 foods, then he dropped down to eating less than 5! On our journey to reintroducing food to his body I’ve tried it all. Cutting things into shapes, one blog suggested breaded foods, and making sure the food didn’t touch ALL DIDN’T WORK. Keep reading for ways I finally got my preschooler picky eater to try new things and eat a little bit more each day.

How My Preschooler Is Overcoming Picky Eating

Strategy One – Consistency

This one can be a struggle. Constantly watching food go to waste while you still have a hungry toddler that you have to feed something can make you want to only give them things you know they’ll eat. However, consistently offering nutritious foods will help your child eventually come around.

Mayo Clinic says that your child might need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite. Thus, sticking to offering a good variety of food might be what your child needs to eventually come around. Don’t force it (believe me I’ve tried). When your child is sick of their appetite not being fully satisfied they will eventually come around. Sometimes it can be a good idea to take a break. I stopped struggling with my son for a few weeks so that he could see what it felt like to eat the way he wanted to and then suddenly when I went back to offering better food, he was more open to try! Give you and your preschooler picky eater a little grace.

Strategy Two – Make It Fun

I tried cutting things into shapes but that was just a little too fun. He’d play with the food but it still didn’t get him to eat it. Instead, I tried a new plate and this helped tremendously! I didn’t think it would make a difference, but I was desperate and I’d give anything a shot.

My son loves board games and this plate was just what I needed to break his food strike. Not only does it promote finishing food, it also makes it easy to offer new things. Your preschooler picky eater can clearly see that the food they like outweighs the food they don’t by how many spaces are taken up. As your preschooler’s appetite increases you may struggle to fit everything on the plate but at least you’ll know they eating at least what they need and you can add more as necessary when they finish their plate.

Other ways to make mealtime fun include serving colorful foods, adding their favorite sauces, interacting with them as they try it, pretend play, and cutting food into shapes. Even though that didn’t work for my child it doesn’t mean it won’t work for yours! Try everything so you know you’ve given it your best effort.

Strategy Three – Monitoring With Autonomy

Toddler independence is so important. I used to notice pushback when I would hover over my son during mealtimes. Then I would see him doubling back to finish things when I wasn’t looking that I could not get him to eat. As your preschooler grows out of that toddler phase, the same is still true – kids want their independence.

What this doesn’t mean is ignore your child during mealtimes. Instead seat yourself across the table instead of next to them. You have a clear sight of what’s being eaten but it’s not in your direct vision (if you have a centerpiece). Pay attention to your own plate to take the pressure off your little one. Don’t forget to lead by example too! Get your own eating habits aligned with the way you want your child to eat.

Strategy Four – Rewards

My child did not respond to begging, pleading, reasoning, nor being ignored. Half the time I couldn’t even get him to do it for screen times and my son loves his iPad dearly! Finding the right reward depends on your child and what they value. To circle back to making things fun, the hidden treasure chest really motivated my son. There was no peeking and no being rewarded until everything was gone (in order!). So the Amazon plate really helped move us along in our picky eating journey.

The Washington Post says that many experts disparage rewarding picky eaters, but this system primarily targets problematic children who don’t respond to conventional techniques. Common rewards include a sweet treat, screen time, and seconds of their favorite foods.

My son’s favorite treat that fits perfectly into the treat square on his new plate are mini peanut butter crackers. This is the perfect compromise for us since I don’t typically let him have sweets that aren’t fruit.

Strategy Five – Mix It Up

Pair a little bit of what they don’t like with a lot that they do like. The reverse of this did not work well for me – trying to introduce a lot of new things with just a little of the tried and true. Also don’t always offer the same vegetable. Maybe peas aren’t their jam, but broccoli or green beans are. Trying something different every other day might increase the odds your child will try something new soon. They get food burnout the same way we do. So when you’re tired of day 3 meal prep, chances are so is your little one.

What picky eating tricks have worked for you?