What is your trick to getting your little ones to eat new foods?

I don't have a whole lot of recipes to share, however I love reading everyone else's. That is probably because I am not a great cook, but I know how to follow directions.:0)

One thing I run into often with my children is their fear of trying something new. They must think I am going to feed them "Mockingbird eyelashes on toast" (Old grandmother answer to 'what's that?')

I have had friends whose children use catsup as the "cover all flavors". For me ... I found it to be Parmesan Cheese. But to make it more fun, in our home, Parmesan Cheese is referred to as 'Sunshine'. Who wouldn't want to add a little Sunshine to their meal? It makes you smile and it makes everything taste better. Try it next time you steam up some squash or zucchini. Add some butter and top with sunshine. The kids are happy it taste good and you are happy that they ate their veggies.

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Permalink Reply by Linda Wilbert on October 22, 2009 at 4:13pm: I don't have little children anymore, but I never had a problem with my children introducing them to new foods. I just cooked healthy, that means fresh vegetables with gravy, potatoes, and meat (mostly chicken, turkey). I never cooked spicy foods, so everything was suiteable for little children. I just put whatever I cooked on the dinnertable / in bowls, not already served on plates. If I would have put something on their plate that they didn't choose, they would have not eaten it. Anyway, I am from Europe and it is custom to put the bowls with the food on the table and not just plates, already with food on it.
My children where allowed to get their own food out of the bowl / a little bit at a time. I never forced them to eat anything they didn't choose. I just asked them if they would like to try it / just a tiny bit. If they refused, I let it go. They saw me and their father eating all the food items, so eventually they wanted to do what we did and tried the food. If they didn't like it they spit it out, letting us know that it tasts d. :)
It worked the same with learning to eat with knife and fork. I placed both next to their plate and the kids just mimiced what we did. By the time they where 3 and 4 years old, they ate with knife and fork (kids version of course).
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Allen on January 12, 2010 at 3:19pm: I love the "top with sunshine." That's a great idea!

I haven't had a real problem with Nat trying new foods. At first she's not keen on it, but if she sees Mommy and Daddy eating something, she'll usually try some off our plate. And if she knows she has no other option, she'll at least try. And Joe and I like eating our veggies, so it's never been a big deal for her. But I will definitely have to keep the Parmesan idea in the back of my head for the inevitable day when she determines she doesn't like something!; ▶ Reply to This