Tips for Adventurous Eaters

We came across a list of tips for raising adventurous eaters, and figured it could be useful to parents. We truly believe that every kid is different, and incorporating your family's culture to their routines is your best choice. But this list compiled by Julie Ryan Evans has some interesting general tips. Take a look!


"1. Sit Down!
Now is the time to teach that meals play an important role in our day. Make breakfast-lunch-dinner definite sit-down-to-eat occasions, even if it's just for 10 or 15 minutes at a time.
2. Doesn't This Look Good?
Talk it up! Comment on the yummy smells from the oven, or how pretty and juicy the steak looks. Little kids "eat with their eyes" just like adults do.
3. It's a Dinner, Not a Diner!
And that means no short order cooking! From earliest eating days, children can and should eat what everyone else at the table is eating.
4. Focus on the Whole Meal
If you're serving chicken, peas, and rice for dinner, then your kid should have chicken, peas, and rice on her plate, too. What if she scarfs down the rice and wants more? Not until she has a bite or two of the rest of the items in the meal. 
5. Spice It Up
Don't be afraid to let your child sample spicier dishes, like those found in Indian or Mexican cuisines. If it's really too hot, stir a little milk or sour cream into his portion, so that he still gets the flavor of the dish, without the full effect of the heat.
6. Pour Out the Juice
Kiddie beverages all have one thing in common: They are sweet, sweet, sweet to the taste. Don't start your little one off believing that drinks have to be sweet to taste good. Stick to plain milk and water.
7. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
If at first your child doesn't like spinach or Brussels sprouts or broccoli, try, try again. Researchers have found that up to 15 separate introductions of a food may be required before it will be accepted by some children. Wait several days or weeks, but don't drop the offending item out of the menu entirely.
8. And Nix the Other Kiddie Products
Children's menus in restaurants, children's cereals and snack foods, packaged toddler meals: If it's a food product made for and marketed to kids, chances are it's going to be inferior in taste and flavor to comparable adult products. Avoid these, and you will be way ahead in the game of preventing picky eating."

Source: Shine