I have a problem with if they won’t eat, they(children) don’t get another option, and often could go to bed hungry. Ther are so many thoughts on this subject, I thought it would be easier to ask what would be nice to eat, and give a choice, rather than keep saying if you don’t eat what I have made for you, go without perhaps I am too old fashioned..

Yes, my toddler loves her food ! As soon she started eating solids I offered a wide variety of foods all cooked from scratch.

Great advice…we are currently going through a fussy toddler stage…I will definitely be trying a family Mexican night this weekend and let Lo make her own fajitas 🙂

Great and timely advice I need for my fussy 3 year old. Thank you!

Great advice – one more tip I would add – if you have room to grow a few things, get your littlie to help plant and let them pick the food. I used to grow loads of sweet corn – never got to eat any of the corn cobs myself, but my kids adored them while they were little cobs and at least they were eating fresh food without being told. It was a game, as they knew I didn’t mind them picking and eating whatever produce was in the garden.

Lke ca

My toddler is pretty good with her fruit and vwgies. This is wonderful advice. Thank you

great ideas! thanks for sharing

Awesome article and I am a huge fan of theme nights and choosing a different country. It is educational and fun and a new experience for taste buds. We love to do theme nights.

Good ideas. My toddler knows if he likes food or not just by looking at it :/

Some great tips. We are starting to have to think of these things. My little one is wanting to eat more finger foods these days rather then me feeding him purées. I am finding it difficult with some dinner foods as he is 12 months and has no teeth so he struggles with some foods.

that sounds logical ! thanks for putting this up

Research suggests toddlers are more likely to eat unfamiliar and disliked foods if they have watched others eat them first, especially parents.

Moreover, parent and child intake of foods/nutrients is generally correlated and most significantly parents’ consumption of fruit and vegetables is the strongest predictor of their child’s intake.

Show your little one your love of healthy food and how food can be delicious and fun with these creative toddler food ideas that will get your bub one step closer to being a little foodie!

1. Have a picnic

Picnic style dining with a range of different foods can be a great way to introduce variety into the diet of your child, often when food is laid out and they are left to their own devices, toddlers will try a greater variety of foods.

2. Communal-style family dining

Place food in the centre of the table and let toddlers make their own, try chicken burritos with a variety of toppings such as guacamole, tomato salsa, mixed bean salad, shredded cos lettuce and cheese.

3. Create theme nights

Teach kids about certain cultures e.g. Japan and serve home-made sushi, teriyaki chicken tenderloins and quinoa fried rice.

4. Kid’s choice – meals

Purchase a healthy cookbook, let the kids pick their favourite recipe from the book and cook it together on a Sunday night – do this as a weekly tradition to involve your little one in the process.

5. Kid’s choice fresh ingredients

Have a vegetable or fruit picture book and let kids select a type of fruit/vegetable and then cook with it. For example, with apple – do baked apple with yoghurt for an afternoon snack or dessert, or select zucchini and try zucchini boats baked and stuffed with Rafferty’s Garden Moroccan Lamb. This will not only encourage toddlers to eat healthy foods and get excited by food, but also learn about fresh fruit and vegetables!

Remember, mealtime is a time to bond and nourish, not a time to stress. If your toddler has distaste for what you’ve dished up, don’t be too hard on yourself.

Repeated exposure to disliked food is the key to turning the tide on your toddlers’ liking of foods – persevere and have fun with food – you will turn your toddler into a healthy foodie in no time!

Some very sound advice. Thank you.