How to get your child to eat new foods

Children can sometimes be picky eaters and often times trying new foods with them can cause a headache.

According to Dinah Rose, author of  ‘It’s not about the Broccoli’ – a book that has aided many mothers transition their children to new foods, it’s not just about coaxing the children or begging them to try the new foods.

Instead, parents should enable them to explore different types of foods before making a decision.

Here are some tips to aid that process:

1. Allow them to simply explore by engaging their senses of taste, smell and sight  before taking a bite. As they do this, they can decide whether  it is something they would want to eat or not.

2. Start in small samples. For example if you are introducing them to beans,  start with one spoon and watch how they respond to it before giving them a full plate.

3. Get creative with the kind of food you want to introduce them to. If you are introducing peas, you could use the peas to make a smiley face on the plate. This will take their mind off the taste and make them dive right in.