Comments on: Avoid Creating Picky Eaters

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:43:37 +0000

When I was growing up, my mom had a sign hanging over the table that said, try it you'll ike it. We had to eat at least one bite, if we didn't like it we could make our own dinner. There are very few things I don't like, olives and salmon (except in gravlox) come to mind. But if i am at someone's house and they serve salmon, I will eat my portion because it is polite to do so.

By: ThatBobbieGirl

ThatBobbieGirl — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:23:53 +0000

Great post – I think if I’d been told to write something about picky eaters it would have hit many of the same points. I was bound and determined NOT to let our kids grow up to be like the picky-eater adults we knew. Result? My son DEVOURS broccoli whenever possible, in any form, as well as any other vegetable, especially if it’s raw. The only thing I can think of that he really doesn’t like is that cucumber salad made with vinegar and sugar – which is fine.

Our daughter will eat just about anything, too, but she’s right there with your brother when comes to beans, Ivy. She will eat a small amount of baked beans with other foods, but if beans are the main dish, she’ll pass.

Oh, come to think of it, she does like refried beans, and loves hummus. Has your brother tried those? The smashing or pureeing changes the texture so it’s not so bean-ish.

Both kids learned that if you’re at someone else’s house, you eat what they’re serving, no complaints. If you don’t like it much, don’t take seconds!

By: Theodora

Theodora — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:13:32 +0000

Great post and topic, even though I’m not a parent. Picky eating bothers me to no end; I hate seeing my friends who are parents have to deal with it, and I hate trying to deal with adults who are picky as well.

One corollary — it’s great to have kids who will try anything. If you’re at a buffet or potluck, please make them take ONLY courtesy servings first and then come back for more if they like something.

My husband still talks about the time (5 years ago) when we had a party and a couple of the little kids took big servings of something that we had a limited amount of — they didn’t eat it and so it was wasted.

By: Weekend Roundup - 08/10/2008 | The Family Wallet

Weekend Roundup - 08/10/2008 | The Family Wallet — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:40:59 +0000

[...] HomEc101 writes about picky eaters. [...]

By: Marcia

Marcia — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:48:51 +0000

Very good posting. My son is two, and I have worked hard to make sure he gets a well-balanced diet. Our doctor said we need to look at his intake to get a balanced week, not a balanced meal.

It’s difficult though. We just returned from a two-week vacation. My family and in-laws have a lot of snacks in the house…chips, cookies, candy, cake…and my son would, of course, prefer to eat that instead. So I nicely asked (and the family accepted) that they eat their snacks in a different room when possible. Not that he didn’t get the snacks, but my rule is healthy food first.

I’ve seen what happens when someone is allowed to be too picky…they can end up as a 61-year old diabetic who eats no vegetables but can down a pound of cookies a day.

By: Monroe on a Budget » Festival of Frugality 8/5

Monroe on a Budget » Festival of Frugality 8/5 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:26:26 +0000

[...] presents Picky eaters, picky eaters: “Always do your best to keep from creating a picky eater. The future spouses of your [...]

By: Festival of Frugality #137 | Bargain Briana

Festival of Frugality #137 | Bargain Briana — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:48:56 +0000

[...] 101 gives excellent advice on how to avoid raising a picky [...]

By: Briana

Briana — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:52:31 +0000

They say it can take several times of being exposed to a new food before a child will eat it!

Our biggest problem is our littlest will eat anything but if her older brothers or sisters say it is yucky, then she thinks it is yucky too. So we have to start at the top and work it down so they will all try something. Usually, they end up liking what I’m trying to get them to eat. Not like I force them to eat things I hate. Oh, yeah, you are right mommy, this IS good. I love when I hear that one!

By: Alvi the Small

Alvi the Small — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:22:32 +0000

Totally agree on the courtesy bite, from a politeness/manners point of view. Growing up in my household, it was acceptable for a person to try something, decide they didn’t like it, and then make themselves a bowl of cereal or a sandwich. You didn’t make a big deal out of it, you just had to sit at the table with everyone else, and talk nicely to everyone. Perhaps this comes from having a picky eater mom.

Ultimately, when kids grow up and go to a dinner party, this is an important skill – accept what your host dishes up, eat a small amount, decide it’s gross, and then eat the other stuff without being a jerk about it. Surprisingly, some of my coworkers seem to lack this skill, and come across really strangely in social situations.

By: » Festival #137 is up at Frugal Homemaker Plus! on the Festival of Frugality

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:50:40 +0000

[...] 101 gives excellent advice on how to avoid raising a picky [...]