“My daughter doesn’t eat apples.”

That’s what I would have said after multiple attempts of giving her sliced apples.

I could have (and would have) given up on those darn apples…if I hadn’t worked with families and limited eaters, nor studied children’s eating for years as a Certified Nutritionist and Picky Eating Expert.

And another simple ‘picky eating’ solution is born!

To us an apple is an apple.  An egg is an egg.  And chicken is chicken.  But how that food shows up on their plate and in their mouth makes a difference.  A big difference!

A sliced granny smith apple is completely different from a whole granny smith apple, from both a sensory perspective and oral motor.    And a macintosh apple has a unique taste vs. a red delicious apple.

So I knew I had to put my “Picky Eating Expert” hat back on and try a million new ways until I found the winning apple combination.  Ok, maybe not a million 😉

I had tried a million dozen different apples. 

  • Royal gala
  • Golden delicious
  • Granny smith
  • Macintosh
  • Red Delicious
  • You get the gist! (and I can’t remember any other varieties at the moment)

And I needed to offer that apple a million dozen different ways.

  • Peeled
  • Sliced
  • Thinly sliced
  • Really thinly sliced and peeled
  • Cooked
  • Shredded
  • Half an apple
  • A full apple
  • Dried crunchy
  • Dried soft
  • With dips….and so on.

 

picky eating solution

As I was handing Naomi her apple this morning it dawned on me that this was another simple “picky eating solution” I should share.

As you may have guessed, my stubborn yet sweet, two year old Naomi is now an apple lover.  Partly because we kept that food coming with no pressure.  And because we experimented with variety in every exposure.

The winning combo: any apple in whole form.  She doesn’t eat the whole thing but she makes a good attempt.

Two year old picky eater

For this stubborn yet sweet two-year-old it was a matter of independence that won her over.  It’s her way or the highway.  And when she saw mommy and daddy eating a whole apple, she wanted the same.

So whether it’s eggs, carrots, kale, beef, or broccoli…if your little one says “no” or “yuck” now, they may not say no forever.  Don’t give up and get creative without driving yourself crazy.  Happy faces and trains aren’t necessary to help your kids eat real food or new food.  Thank goodness for that!

picky eating solution

 

Which picky eating solutions have worked for you?   More coming your way in the coming month here and here in my private group for moms.

Curious Cookie Mat for picky eaters