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I HAVE often thought that food manufacturers are missing a great opportunity. If they could only make foods look like chalk AND crayons! I've known many finicky toddlers who sample THE chalk IN my office waiting room but won't touch a new food. 6292
The question:
The question: There are only a few foods my three year old will eat. He absolutely refuses TO try anything new. What can I do? 6826
When your child is IN a fussy phase BE sure there is always something available that he will eat, such as fruit AND whole grain bread AND peanut butter. Buy only foods you want your child TO eat. Set a good example by THE way you eat AND let your child make choices from a variety OF good foods that you provide. Your child is likely TO eventually copy many OF your food habits, likes AND dislikes. It is important TO make mealtimes pleasant AND avoid power struggles. Don't give up, keep offering foods that he has previously rejected. Studies HAVE demonstrated that a child may need TO BE exposed TO a food eight TO ten times before he will eat it. 5224
Try including your child IN meal planning, grocery shopping AND cooking. You might allow him TO choose THE main course FOR a meal once IN awhile. Let him know that other family members also HAVE favorites SO he can't always HAVE his. When you are IN THE grocery allow him TO choose a fruit or a vegetable TO try. Most preschoolers love TO help with food preparation. Involving him helps eliminate power struggles because he will feel he has some control.