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!
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.
This is such a great idea for getting the kiddos to eat healthy foods. It’s also a far better idea than trying to wait them out. That never works. Trust me…
This is a great idea to get kids to eat healthy foods. I realize a majority of kids are super picky when it comes to eating.
Now this is an awesome idea for reward charts, it is amazing how the little things can really help make a difference to chidlren.
So good to hear an idea that has been tried and tested! I don’t think we should force children to eat foods they do not like but asking them to at least try them, absolutely!
This is such a cool idea. I am all about trying new things and food is very important to try new things for kids so this is perfect!
This idea is good! We have the reward system. My niece can eat a certain dessert if she will finish her food. I think we need to chart for it.
What a brilliant idea. Our son is a picky eater so I will definitely give this a try to see if it will work even though he’s already a teen. 😉
What a great idea to encourage trying new foods. I am going to try this with my 5-year old.
My kids are grown so I will have to pass this on to my sister and youngest cousin who have little kids. It would be nice for young children to learn more about the food they are eating, and to make healthier choices soon.
This is a great way to encourage children to eat more especially when it comes to fruits and veggies! If you make it fun, the kids are always game for it!
Ohh I’ll have to show this to some friends of mine who have picky eaters in their house! My son was never very picky and pretty much ate anything we put in front of him. A few times (when he got older) he would say “Have I had this before?” And I’d respond with “Yup, and you LOVED it” and he’d eat it, no questions asked. Of course if he asked, he actually had never had it