Overcoming Picky Eating: {30+ Strategies, Tips, and Ideas} - Your Kid's Table

Woohoo, it is Your Kid’s Table 2nd Blogiversary! Admittedly, I am a little late with this. I technically had my first post go live on April 10th 2012, but things have been a little hectic around here- more so than usual. I’m excited to share with all of you regulars that we are expecting our third baby this September. As with my other two pregnancy’s I’ve been painfully sick up until recently! This should be exciting news for those of you with wee ones as well, because I will surely be inspired to be bringing more baby/toddler related posts and recipes.

It is hard to believe that two years has passed. I am so grateful for those of you that have found your way here and followed along. Your kind comments and participation here and on facebook and pinterest is truly appreciated. I have some big plans for the next year and more ideas than ever to share with you. Stay tuned I’m hoping for some big announcements!




Of course, I’ve been reminiscing a bit about everything that I’ve written here and what Your Kid’s Table has evolved to be today. It dawned on me that I’ve never pulled all of the picky eating posts together for you in one place. Well, other than the article index in the menu bar up there, which I created for my one year anniversary and includes ALL of the articles I’ve ever posted. This year I thought it might be helpful if I organized all 33 of the picky eater articles, put them into different categories, and gave them some descriptions, when necessary. The categories and individual articles are also listed in order of importance. 

The Best Articles for Getting Started

When Has Picky Eating Gone Too Far? – This is the first stop. It is important to determine how severe your child’s “pickiness” is. This article has a simple checklist to help you take out the guess work.

Getting Your “Picky” Eater to Explore New Foods – This post describes the basics of how I get kids to ultimately eat more variety.

Picky Eater Tip: Expand on What Your Kid is Already Eating – This strategy is just as important as the one above. It is the cornerstone of all my feeding therapy in my own home and other’s. 

5 Reasons Kids Refuse to Eat – Parents are often confused about why their child is so picky. Here I describe the 5 most common reasons, which can help you determine how to better help your child.

Help for Infants and Toddlers: Early Intervention – If your child is under 3 and you are suspecting that their problem is more severe (see the first article listed) and you live in the USA, then your state is required to provide a free evaluation. Some states will do this for kids under 5. 

*I didn’t include it in this list but Basic Steps to Improve Eating in the menu bar also has some important strategies to get you started.

The Nitty Gritty

Common Mistakes Parents Make: How to Start Good Eating Habits from the Beginning – Even if it is “too late” to start from the beginning, many of these habits can be reversed over time. These are some of the basic foundational elements to have in place to ensure the best eating possible. 

Try and Try at least 12 Times – A description of the importance of exposing your child to food multiple times and in multiple ways. 

How to Get Your Kid to Eat Vegetables {Part 1}

Getting Your Kid to Eat Veggies {Part 2}

How to Get Your Kid to Eat More Meat

Making Meals Positive: Part 1– These are some of my first articles – please ignore the quality of the pictures (I’d like to think I’ve gotten better at that) – but the idea of keeping meals a positive experience is crucial for progress in eating new foods.

Making Meals Positive: Part 2

Making Meals Positive: Part 3

Another Tool in Your Box

How Meal Planning Can Help Picky Eaters – Sometimes I don’t think people here want to hear this strategy, but I promise if you give meal planning a decent try, it will be well worth it. It can make all the difference for a picky eater.

Tips for Picky Eaters: {Serving Meals Family Style} – Hmm, this is another one I think people want to ignore sometimes because it can mean a few more dishes. However, I have seen this make a huge difference time and again. Click through to read about other’s success’.

Easy Feeding Tips from My Table to Yours – One of my most popular posts, I describe what dinner on an average night looks like at my house and how I navigate through it with a picky eater in tow.

Picky Eater Tip: Put it on a Stick – Quick tip for using toothpicks and spears.

Picky Eater Kids- FunBites Review – A cool tool designed by the parents of a picky eater that cuts food easily into a variety of shapes. It may surprise you to learn the benefits of these bite sized shapes.

FunBites Halloween for Picky Eaters and Toddlers – Some specific inspiration for creating fun kid themed plates – that aren’t too complicated! Some of the designs can be used year round.

Grate It: A Twist on Veggies and Fruits for Your Baby, Toddler, or Big Kid – How and why grating fruits and veggies could win your kiddo over.

Turn off the TV

 

Recipes and More
Below is a list of recipes that I’ve shared on YKT, but there is much more in these posts other than the recipe. In every one, I share how I got my kids through some of the foods they were avoiding using specific strategies and examples. Plus, all the recipes have nutrition in mind!

Easy Sorbet Recipe for Kids

Not-Spicy Asian Peanut Sauce for Kids

Cooking with Your Kid: Quiche Made Your Way

Blueberry Cornbread

Fish for Kids: Tilapia 

Cooking with Your Kid: Paella with Roasted Red Pepper

 
The Right Attitude
 
Practicing Patience When Your Child Doesn’t Eat – My personal struggle as a mom of a problem feeder and how I got through it – emotionally!
 

5 Things You Shouldn’t Say to Your Kid During Meals – Using the right language about food and during mealtimes can make all the difference with your kids. 

Why You Should Let Your Baby or Toddler Get Messy Eating

Relax You Are Doing A Good Job – A little pep talk for when you feel like you are doing everything wrong.

I know many of you have found your way here in desperation, exhaustion… completely at the end of your rope. Please know that you are not alone and that it can get better, a lot better. At a minimum, I hope all of the information here gives you some ideas to make some simple changes that work for your family and can ultimately give you some peace of mind.

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