Helping your child to eat everything

Just as you change the mode of cooking potatoes or presentation of the fish for your young child make a face and refuses to eat. Here are some tips to help overcome this step and make sure he eats everything.

Present food attractively

A plate of spinach chopped, it's not very fun for your child. Enliven it by attaching the plate of mashed carrot and potato. Children are often very sensitive to color. 

To help, there is a wide variety of frozen purees and very colorful. You can create miniature paintings in the base of your child: Forests in bunches of broccoli, head of character diced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Accommodate your dishes

Your child is like you: he prefers the fried vegetables, topped with cheese or with a knob of butter.Then accommodate them!

If your baby has difficulty with the vegetables, mix them with potatoes and reduce gradually the amount of potatoes.

Try also new combinations (rice with peas, pasta with beans), and think of savory pies or cakes (custard with zucchini, leek tart, etc.).. 

See also our factsheets: Ideas to eat small fish and our tips for making children eat vegetables.

Set an example for your child

If you feast with vegetables, your child will be less difficult to taste, then eat it. Tell him how you find the tasty vegetables!

Be patient

Continue to regularly feed your child does not like five times or even ten, without stress! One day he will claim you may be ... And whatever happens, do not force her hand.

Be confident

To accept the new, your child should feel confident. Or if you're anxious, you may submit your concern. Try to relax and offer foods with pleasure and without bias. Show your child that you trust them, saying for instance: "You can taste it, and you have the right not to like."

Do not be afraid of "failures"

Failure is part of the game: you will probably mix some new foods that your child accepts them.Whatever! The key is that your child learns to try new foods.

To discover other foods your child

For the game : make the meal a pleasure. Possibly play with your child at the table, taking care however not to give up bad habits.

By the discovery : awaken your child with food. Take the market to feast visually displays of fruits and vegetables. Make him feel the grass, enjoy little pieces of cheese, etc..

With the words : put into words what you eat and feel that you provide the food (it stings, that chip is sweet, etc..).

Establish some rules

If your child does not want the proposed dish, offer him another one. If it does not, well, it will wait for the next meal. And no snacks. 

Remember to remove her plate: the meal should not take hours, even if your child does not eat.