I know how frustrating it is when they won't eat and won't try the food.
First, as Meg said, make sure that there is always something she likes at the table and offer things she won't try. Sometimes she might surprise you. Don't make a big deal out of it, but make sure you thank her for trying even if she doesn't like it. And tell her, it's okay to spit it out if she doesn't like it.
Now, that being said, several techniques that work for us to make Adrian try new food. Some of these will be more relevant later, when she is a bit older, but some are appropiate at her age.
- It's more appealing if it comes from my plate/fork - and offer her everything that's on your plate, she might surprise you. Our kid refuses chicken strips, but will happily eat shrimp coctail.
- Make fun names: strawberry candy for dried strawberries, blueberry ice cream for smoothie made with frozen fruit, cordbread made in muffin pan - muffins...
- Adrian is intrigued by sauces and is willing to dip anything into a sauce (katchup, A1, mustard) - actually that's pretty much the only way to get him to eat meat.
- On the similar note, be open to new combinations - like avocado with A1 sauce.
- Sometimes he'll surprise us and ask for something out of blue and will usually love it.
They tend to go through fads, that can last for months. We went through banana, smoothie, egg, cottage cheese, grapes, cheese, Coco puffs, oatmeal, and chocolate milk fads, just to name few. Don't worry if she goes too much on one food at any given time, just be happy that there is a safe bet for dinner. The fad will be gone and she'll move on.
Lastly, they go through phases when they'll barly eat anything, even of the things they love (unless it's candy of course
. That's okay too, with Adrian it can go for a week or so. Just keep on the same course. In these times, though, I offer an extra snack just before the bedtime, some carckers and milk (current safe bet.
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