5 Tips to Getting Your Toddler to Try New Foods
At this age, your toddler’s taste preferences are still developing, so it’s perfectly normal if they don’t seem interested in a new food right away. It takes time for kids to learn to like new foods with flavors, tastes and textures that are different from what they’re used to.
To make it easier on you and your toddler, use these 5 tips when introducing new foods:
- Introduce new foods with old favorites. Seeing a favorite on your child's plate makes the new food less scary. Plus, if they choose not to try the new food they will still have something to eat.
- Offer without pressuring. Toddlers are headstrong, so allow your child to decide whether or not to try a new food. Encourage them to try it without forcing them.
- Offer a small portion. Put a little bit of each food on your child's plate, telling them what it is. A small spoonful of a new food is less overwhelming than a big helping. If your child likes it, you can always give them more.
- Let them see you enjoy the food. Your child wants to be just like you, so if they see you loving the new food, they're more likely to follow your lead.
- Try, try again. Your child may try it; they may not. And that’s OK. Some kids need to see a new food 10 to 15 times before trying it, so don’t give up.
