Don’t worry if your child refuses to eat foods they never tried before, this is normal for young children. They may be afraid of the color, shape, or the way some foods feel in their mouth. This behavior will pass.

In the meantime, make family meals enjoyable and avoid mealtime battles.

Try the following tips:

Go to the market and let your children pick some fruits and vegetables.
Prepare meals together, then have them set the table.
Cook the same meal for the whole family.
Let them serve themselves, just remind them to start with a small portion.
Encourage your children to try new foods by asking them to take at least one bite.
Don’t force your children to eat if they are not willing to try something new; if you do, you could lose their trust.
Offer a paper napkin to spit out food they do not like.
If your children decide that they don’t like a particular food, say “thanks for trying it, maybe you’ll like it next time”.
Be a good role model by trying new foods yourself!

Weigel, D. 2022, Eat Smart Be Active - Tips to Help Your Picky Eater, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Printable Version (PDF)

If you need more information.

Please contact Extension's Communication Team for assistance.

Also of Interest:


Building Perspective-Taking Skills in Young Children Introduction to perspective-taking and its ability to understand and consider other people’s thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints, which plays a vital role in developing empathy and navigating social interactions. Children develop this skill in stages as they grow. Kim, YaeBin 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-25-01
Let's Discover STEM: Five-Year Report 2017-2022 Nevada Sustainable Communities Project A seven-week workshop targeting children in at-risk communities in Las Vegas & Reno-Sparks to promote STEM topics and the results of said workshop. Weigel, D., Kim, Y., and Evans, B. 2022, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, IP-22-01
Teaching Young Children About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion It is important to teach your child about diversity, equity and inclusion. It is so important to help your children learn how to embrace diversity in a way that is respectful and celebrates different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. YaeBin Kim 2021, University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, FS-21-96
E-Books for Young Children Kim, Y. 2017, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Infant Language Development From the moment babies are born, they are learning how to communicate. Babies first communicate by crying and then begin to coo and babble. Infants’ speech develops as they are exposed to sounds and language, spoken and unspoken. Gestures, facial expressions and sounds are all pa... Byington, T. and Kim, Y. 2015, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, FS-15-06

Eat Smart Be Active - Tips to Help Your Picky Eater

In the meantime, make family meals enjoyable and avoid mealtime battles.

Try the following tips:

Go to the market and let your children pick some fruits and vegetables.
Prepare meals together, then have them set the table.
Cook the same meal for the whole family.
Let them serve themselves, just remind them to start with a small portion.
Encourage your children to try new foods by asking them to take at least one bite.
Don’t force your children to eat if they are not willing to try something new; if you do, you could lose their trust.
Offer a paper napkin to spit out food they do not like.
If your children decide that they don’t like a particular food, say “thanks for trying it, maybe you’ll like it next time”.
Be a good role model by trying new foods yourself!

Published by: Weigel, D., 2022, Eat Smart Be Active - Tips to Help Your Picky Eater, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno