Often I don’t tell them what something is, or what’s in it, until they’ve tried it.

I try new foods 3 times. Sometimes they won’t eat it if they haven’t seen it before, if it appears more the as a one off they are more likely to try it. That’s how it is with my kids anyways

My kids will be more happy to try things on my plate than their own haha so I make ‘my plate’first and let them show Interest

My Aunty persisted with cauliflower and obviously her toddler daughter couldn’t digest because she would cry later then vomit. Several years later she started eating small amounts and gradually increased it without feeling sick at all. Some foods such as broccoli and spinach have a very strong flavour so children may not like them then or as adults either. The stems of broccoli have a different flavour and are tougher than the flower section. I like spinach but too much in a smoothie can make it bitter. Children can be fussy with fruit such as strawberries or cherries. I know one child who liked strawberries but every time even if she only eat 2 or 3 she got ulcers in her mouth. It is the only time she ever gets them. The Dr. decided there is something in them that she is allergic too. I know a boy who has the same allergic reaction to cherries and passionfruit

Children can become picky eaters for a number of reasons. Some children are naturally more sensitive to taste, smell and texture. Other children develop picky eating habits by modeling their parents’ fussy eating habits. Picky eating habits are more likely to develop when parents punish, bribe or reward their children’s eating behaviors. The goal for feeding a picky eater should be to try new foods and to keep food from starting a battle.
As a parent, you have responsibilities for feeding your child. Your child also has responsibilities.
You control what, where and when food is provided.
Your child decides whether or not to eat the food, and how much to eat.
Personally I believe it’s good to avoid high caloric drinks and have meal and snack times at sceduled times. When my son asks for a snack around 5pm when we have dinner around 6pm I prefer not to give this as it may mean he won’t eat dinner. He can have that snack after dinner if he still wants it. I think it’s also important to make/keep mealtimes pleasant and to understand that all kids have their own quirks as everyone has his or her own quirks about eating. Children may eat a sandwich cut into triangles without crusts, but would not eat the same sandwich cut into squares with the crusts. A child may eat small pieces of broccoli, but avoid the stems. Foods that your child eats today may not be eaten tomorrow. It is important to realize that your child may react differently to the same foods on different days. It is not necessary to offer a substitute food in my opinion.

I always told mine ta least 2 or 3 bites are mandatory
Then they can eat something else if they don’t prefer it
I do this every time and hence slowly help them develop a palette for other foods
For example my son used to hate salmon but after a few months of trying it every 8 to 10 days he’s now in love with it
They will fight you of course but if they did that to me I’d say that if they don’t at least take those 2 bites without making faces then I’d put a stop to all fun and no bedtime story and cuddles
Know it’s maybe not the best way but it worked really well for us

I tell my daughter to give it a go and see what she thinks. It mainly about persistence (and a lot of patience!)

I am at my words end teething to get my 3 year old son to try new flavours! Some of this advice is great. He is just trying to try things and we praise him and make a big fuss when he does!

I don’t force my kids to eat anything or any meal. What I’ve found in them trying new flavours is serving the food and saying they at least need to try it. (Whatever the new food or flavour is). My rule is they don’t have to eat it, but they do have to try it. If they taste it and leave it that’s fine. And keep serving it. Apparently it takes 10 times for a child to accept a new food or flavour. So keep trying it but without pressure, without threats and don’t demand they have to eat it, as that’s a sure fire way to ensure the child will utterly refuse!

Make a big deal about having it on your plate and forgetting to give them some. Ask them if they’d like to taste it themselves. This may give them the idea they are all grown up if they can have something from your plate

Offer them some off your own plate. I find if I’m eating something myself my kids will be more interested and want to have a bite of ‘mummy’s’

I bribe, is there a better solution?

I agree with lots of the advice given. Also I think you can present a new flavour in different ways. For example instead of making a spinach pie you could add spinach to lasagne, you could add spinach to your pasta or pizza sauce, add some to fried rice or even to a smoothie.

Eat them in front of them and keep saying how nice they taste, then leave some on the table. Or use reverse psychology and tell them they cannot eat them and put a sign on it do not eat, maybe curiosity will get them. Keep putting new stuff out on a platter for them to pick at. Get them interested in growing their own veggies and interested in helping make food. Also cut down on the sugar and salt they consume because this effects taste buds and they get used to too much and everything else tastes bland.

I always continued putting a little of everything we ate on my child’s plate and asked him to taste it – he didn’t have to eat it all if he didn’t like it. Most things would be tried and eventually eaten. Things like cabbage was preferred uncooked, so that’s the way they had it – ditto with mushrooms. Amazingly now everything is eaten and enjoyed to its fullest.