Mealtimes are a great time to connect, but they can also bring big emotions for both kids and caregivers.

Here are a few quick tips to support picky eaters to try new foods at mealtimes.

1. Watch your words

Try not to say ‘yucky’ or ‘yummy’.

Instead, describe the food, for example, ‘the carrot is orange’, or ‘the cucumber feels wet’.

Model being a food explorer!

2. Make mealtimes social

Eating together at the table helps kids learn about food.

Watching others eat and smelling different foods makes kids more likely to try something new.

3. Different ways to ‘try’ food

Before eating a new food, kids might need time to look at it, smell it, or touch it.

That’s all part of the learning process!

4. Reduce pressure

Focus on modelling how to try new foods, rather than asking a child to eat them.

Asking a child to eat a new food may make them less likely to try the food as it can increase worry about around the mealtime.

5. Don’t give up!

It can take many tries before a child knows if they like a food.

If they say ‘no’ the first few times, that’s okay, just keep offering a small amount each time.

Please note this is general advice.

If you are worried about your child’s eating, talk to you doctor or contact us on 1300 372 439 to make an appointment with our feeding assessment team.