My son will be turning 3 years old this week, and we have definitely hit the picky eater stage. This kid used to eat anything, but lately, unless it’s chips or crackers or grapes he won’t even look at it. Dinner time has become a bit of a battle every night;). Luckily I have a few tricks up my sleeve and so do many other people;). Here are some tips for the picky eaters in your life. I wouldn’t necessarily do all of these, but hopefully you find one or two of them helpful!

*Make dinner fun! I think this is appropriate for all ages. Whether you are making faces and funny noises for your toddler or playing a conversation game with your pre-teens, most kids can be distracted from what they are eating if they are having enough fun;).

*I’m sure we’re all familiar with the old “take 3 more bites” phrase; to shake things up (quite literally), grab a pair of dice and let your picky eater roll to see how many more bites they have to eat!

*Limit snacks. Generally, kids need a snack between meals- but if your picky eater is not eating when it comes time to actually eat, you might need to cut down on the snacks or cut them out completely. At the very least, make sure the snacks they are getting are nutritious so that if they don’t eat, at least they got some of the nutrients their body needs for the day.

*Start with small portions. Don’t give your picky eater a big helping if you know they don’t like it. Give them a tiny portion of everything, whether they like it or not (for example, a spoonful of corn and a spoonful of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of chicken, even if they love the corn and hate the chicken). If they are still hungry you can always give them more, but by starting with a few small bites it will be a little less overwhelming- for them and for you;).

*Let your picky eater help with meal planning and cooking. This would be a good skill for them to learn anyway, but this also helps them to feel involved. They’ll be less likely to complain if they feel a part of the creating and decision-making process!

*Dinner time is crucial family time, and it’s hard to enjoy if someone is complaining the whole time! If you have a picky eater that is whining, give them one warning that if they whine or complain, they will be sent away from the table. If they whine a second time, follow through. Send them away from the dinner table (away from toys and other fun distractions) until everyone is finished. Then invite them back to the table to eat.

*If your picky eater refuses to eat, keep their plate handy in the fridge. If they ask for food later, only offer them their plate. If a child doesn’t want to finish his/her meal and knows they can get a snack they like later, they won’t be very motivated to finish their plate:).

*Some families give their picky eaters an “out” once a week. One time during the week they can choose to have something else other than what is being served.

*One family had an “Africa week” – beans and rice every day for 3 meals a day. Their children learned very quickly that having the same thing over and over is pretty boring;). Now if they get complaints during dinner, all they have to do is offer to have another “Africa week”, and their kids get the picture:).

*Sneak healthy food in;). My mom always used to put spinach in our smoothies- you could never tell until she told you afterwards;). Some moms might not want to tell their kids, but sometimes it can help if you can show them that if they give things a try they just might like it;).

What tricks have you tried with the picky eaters in your life? I would love some more tips!!