What do I do?

[txteach]

My 6 yr old suddenly became very picky. She used to love ravioli now she won't eat them. I told my wife, she'll eat them if she gets hungry enough. She gets real mad when I give her something she thinks she doesn't like until I make her try it. The other day my wife was eating some salsa lemon tortilla chips and my daughter just takes one from her and eats it and wants more. What the heck? I want her to eat more than chips and oatmeal. Any suggestions on how to get Lizzy to try foods before refusing to eat them? She is a great little girlie and this is a small problem but I don't want it to be a big problem.

[Riffster]

what about different flavors of pizza? try some with veggies

[Dave Mc]

If you figure it out, let me know. My son started that at about that age, and it's continued to get worse and worse, he's now 10. There are only a few things he'll eat, no matter how hungry.

[txteach]

I'll try pizza. She does like tomato sauce and LOVES pesto. Maybe I'll try a pesto pizza with some veggies.

[theantiquetiger]

Let them go hungry, they will eat!!!!

I don't expect my kids to eat stuff I hated as a kid (spinach, greens, etc), but I do expect them to eat stuff I know they will like (green beans, corn, peas, etc). They don't get down until it is eaten.

My 2 year old is less picky than 5 years old. She loves seafood, alot of regular vegetables, etc.

[MIB41]

Well I've got a 21 year old son in the Marines, a 17 year old son who wants to be a surgeon, and a 14 year old daughter who is working towards being a UofL cheerleader. I have a few years under my belt. But all kids are different even with the same DNA...that was my first lesson. Sounds like she's reacting to the way it's presented to her. Show enjoyment in eating something before you give it to her (and let her SEE you 'enjoying' it). In other words don't reason with her, because they don't reason at that age... BAIT her. Their all about being stimulated when their young, and sometimes you have to lure them to their meal at that age. Just have the best time eating the thing you want her to eat and see if her interest doesn't perk up. Even go as far as acting like you don't want to give it to her, just for a little bit... you might be surprised by her insistance to wanting it. Try it and let me know how you do.

[Marvelmania]

Maybe if she helps to cook and prepare the food she'll be more likely to give it a try.

[Neutron X]

I don't think it's a big deal. My son started not to like bananas anymore. It took several weeks to get "it makes my lips feel funny" out of him. He's alergic to them now. We do the you have to give it a try and taste it after that we don't push it.

I was tested in college and found I could taste thing many people can't. Things like sourkrout and coffee taste more bitter to me because I have hightend taste buds.

[JPkempo]

My sisters 4 year olds refused home made brownies because they didn't know what they where.

[johnnystorm]

We have the same issue with my 7 year old daughter.

She 's really picky...when I pack her lunch for daycare, she'll ask me for plain white bread & ice water! I refuse to send her to school with a wild west prison lunch, so I'll make her sandwiches, but when she comes home I find a little pile of meat & cheese in the corner of her lunchbox, the bread is gone. Juice boxes will come home untouched and when I ask her what she drank she'll tell me ice water because the juice is gross. Cherry Hi-C is gross? Won't touch Kool-Aid, but we can sometimes slide in apple juice. She does drink a lot of milk. She will eat the pudding cups and snack crackers, and if the WHOLE class is eating something (like a pizza party or salad bar) she will dig in and fill up. I guess the peer pressure helps. At home she'll eat carrots, green beans, and peas...but not potatoes or baked beans. This is the only kid I know that refuses to eat french fries!

We've discussed it with our doctor and the doctor says it's normal for her age and not to worry. She'll go back and forth on foods, liking some stuff now & hating it a month or two later. And she's healthy and active, that's what counts.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Yup, what everyone else has said. The big picture is what to look at. For example by the end of the week, has she eaten enough variety over seven days to be considered a balanced week. My six year old, hated pizza until a few days ago. She had an end of the year party at school where they had pizza and all of a sudden it is the "best food" for her. My daughter will eat steamed broccoli one day and then not touch it at all the next. Probably why I'm gaining weight. I wind up clearing her plate after dinner of what she didn't finish that night. lol.

[johnnystorm]

Probably why I'm gaining weight. I wind up clearing her plate after dinner of what she didn't finish that night. lol.

You and me both, pal!

I guess that's the Dad's job...to eat those fries & untouched nuggets so they don't get thrown out. They were paid for, can't waste them, right?

[wayne foundation 07]

Maybe if she helps to cook and prepare the food she'll be more likely to give it a try.

Now thats a heck of a good idea,if shes part of making it ,she might enjoy eating it.

[saildog]

I'll try pizza. She does like tomato sauce and LOVES pesto. Maybe I'll try a pesto pizza with some veggies.

I make those all the time, Coach. I spread a little pesto on some flour tortillas, break apart some provalone to lay on the pesto, lay some tomato slices and other veggies on top of the provalone, then top with some shredded mozzerella and bake at 350. Quick and easy to make and very tasty. (Put some foil under the tortillas to brown the bottom)

My neice is eight and she loves them plus she gets a kick out of helping make it.

[Adam West]

I don't fight with them over food.

My 12 year old daughter likes things pretty plain. Pasta with spray butter or rice with spray butter...that's it. She won't eat hot dogs, cheese on pizza, and lots of other little oddities so I just don't make a big deal out of it. It only takes me a few minutes to make pasta and since she is very active is also fit and skinny. I figure she'll eventually grow out of it.

My 8 year old is the bigger problem. He isn't as picky with food choices but he won't eat anything that has the slightest imperfection in it. Open up a pop tart and the corner is missing...he won't touch it. Try to peel a banana and it starts to break a little bit and he won't touch it.