As a parent, you want what’s best for your kid, and that includes nurturing healthy habits from an early age.
Exposing your child to a wide range of flavors, textures, and cuisines lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. ¹Research shows that early exposure to diverse foods can help prevent picky eating, broaden children’s palates, and increase their acceptance of new foods later in life. Plus, a varied diet ensures that your child gets a wide array of nutrients essential for growth and development.
But let’s face it – getting toddlers to try new foods can feel harder than removing berry stains from their tee shirts. It’s true, once they’re over 12-months, food rejection becomes more common, but with patience, persistence, and creativity, getting your little one to try a variety of new foods is totally doable.
Exposure, exposure, exposure
Regularly offer tastes of different flavors, textures, and cuisines. Whether it’s a spoonful of roasted tomato soup, a new Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt flavor, or a nibble of roasted beets with cumin, every exposure counts. Remember, it may take several tries before your little one embraces a new food, so be patient and persistent.
Mix and match
Get creative in the kitchen by mixing and matching familiar favorites with new and exciting ingredients. For example, stir yogurt into oatmeal with a sprinkle of cinnamon or blend it into a smoothie with spinach and mango. Stonyfield YoBaby is an organic yogurt made with real fruit and high-quality ingredients made especially for tiny tummies. It’s a great way to pair new flavors and textures with familiar ones, which helps your child feel more comfortable trying something new.
Make it fun
Food should be a source of joy and enjoyment, not stress and anxiety. Get your little one involved in meal prep by letting them help wash fruits and veggies, stir ingredients, or choose toppings for their yogurt. Encourage them to feed themselves from day one. Stonyfield YoBaby yogurt pouches make it easy to do at home and on the go. You can also turn mealtime into a sensory experience by exploring the colors, textures, and flavors of different foods. Squeeze out their YoBaby yogurt pouch to see what’s inside! The more fun they have and the more they learn about food, the more confident of an eater your child will be.
Lead by example
As a parent, you have a powerful influence on your little one’s eating habits and preferences. Studies show a parent’s diet is a major indicator of a child’s, so eat by example. Enjoy a variety of foods yourself and your child will be more likely to do the same.
Keep it Positive
Above all, keep mealtime positive and pressure-free. Respect your child’s preferences while still introducing them to a variety of foods, flavors and textures. Instead of counting every bite your little one takes, focus on creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment where they can explore and experiment at their own pace. And remember, every bite – no matter how small (and even if it’s spit out!) – is a step in the right direction.
With a little creativity and patience, you’ll be well on your way to raising a confident and adventurous eater.
Author: Jenny Friedman RD | pediatric dietitian
1 De Cosmi V, Scaglioni S, Agostoni C. Early Taste Experiences and Later Food Choices. Nutrients. 2017 Feb 4;9(2):107. doi: 10.3390/nu9020107. PMID: 28165384; PMCID: PMC5331538.
Patel MD, Donovan SM, Lee S-Y. Considering Nature and Nurture in the Etiology and Prevention of Picky Eating: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2020; 12(11):3409. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113409
Note that the views and opinions expressed in this post are solely that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Stonyfield. The content provided and in any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice. If you have any questions about health or nutrition, we always think it’s best to consult with your doctor or healthcare practitioner.
