Often it's the parent's approach to eating that encourages children to try new foods. Nutrition experts at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say new foods should be introduced gradually, and often children will need to be exposed to new foods many times before accepting them. A little bit of the new food served alongside familiar foods over a period of time helps children become comfortable with the new food. If children are not exposed often enough to a variety of foods, they not only may reject the new food, but they'll reject other foods that appear similar. Parents also should verbally praise children for trying new foods and eating well.
Bribes just reinforce pickiness because they reward children for resisting.
Parents whose children are picky eaters also can rest assured that the children won't allow themselves to starve. They'll eat when they're hungry. Other Topics Health Watch is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.