My daughter has always been a picky eater.  As long as I can remember, it has been a struggle to get her to try new things, and it is really frustrating.  Check out my Tips for When Your Child is a Picky Eater.

We decided to try a rewards chart for every time the kids tried a new food, and it has been wonderful!

New Foods Rewards Chart

The Chart

There are many different ways to create a rewards chart.  You can buy a basic rewards chart, print a basic reward chart online, or make your own.  It can even be a simple list – for example, when your child reaches 10 new foods, they get a pre-determined reward.

It doesn’t have to be fancy.  For example, keeping a list or a paper where where your child can put a sticker each time they eat a new food.

Rules and Rewards

You can designate a number of foods that your child has to try before getting a reward.

You may also want to create some rules about the food chart and reward system before you set it up.  For example, your child may have to eat a whole serving or a certain portion of the food to earn their reward.

Tailor it to Each Child

If you have multiple children, you might have to create different rules for different kids.  For example, my older daughter is a really adventuresome eater, so it is a challenge to figure out new foods for her to try.  An alternative could be that they eat more fruits and veggies, eat a ‘rainbow’ (all colors of veggies), replace dessert with fruit, or any other positive goal you wish.

Keeping Track of New Foods

Another tip is to actually write down each food your child tries as you fill up the chart.  Honestly, I can’t always remember what the new foods were, or if let’s say I’m not home when my husband feeds the kids, he can look at the chart and know what foods have already been tried.