Conquer the Picky Eater Blues!

Have a tough time getting your little one to eat? Has the dinner table become a battleground? You are not alone. As many as 50% of parents identify their child as a picky eater. And most preschool children will be picky at times.

There are things you can do to kick the picky eater blues!

First 5 Placer partner and local child nutrition program, Nutrition Best, offers four tips for making food fun to eat, encouraging healthy eating, and preventing fussy eaters.

Follow this guide and your child will want to taste new foods!

1. Put Color on Your Plate.

It may seem silly, but kids like to eat foods with funny names. Name foods after a favorite pet, friend, family member, or cartoon character. Serving a new soup or sandwich? Give it a name such as "Sammy Soup, Louie's Burgers, or Daddy's Casserole".

3. Cut Food into Fun Shapes.

Use a knife or cookie cutter to make fun shapes. Cut sandwiches into small pieces. Cut vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini into long thin strips. They will be easy to pick up, dip and eat. Check out this Pinterest board on Fun Food for Picky Toddlers.

4. Use a Happy Face.

Put a happy face on your child's food. Use a thin slice of carrot, zucchini, tomato, or lettuce to create a smile. Add a couple eyes with peas, raisins or a tiny piece of a black olive or blueberry. Draw a smile on your child's food whenever you can.

Remember: Keep offering a variety of healthy foods and let your child decide how much to eat. 

Also helpful, www.choosemyplate.gov offers a guide on Picky Eating as well as Phrases and Help and Hinder healthy eating habits.