I’ve listened to many parents complain that their kids stubbornly refuse to eat vegetables at all. Some of the fault, however, lies with the parents and their previous dietary choices. After all, why would a child accustomed to bottle after bottle of sweet juice want to eat cauliflower when it’s introduced? A two-year-old doesn’t understand the nutritional benefits of a well-balanced diet, he only knows that purple tastes good! Other parents allow their kids to fill up on non-nutritious snacks before meals, leaving no room for foods at mealtime. The good news is that many of these “picky eaters” can be reformed with a little planning and preparation.

We all have certain foods that we like or dislike because of the texture or color rather than the flavor or smell. This is particularly true of toddlers and small children. Making the transition from pureed foods to chewable solids can be a rough period for parents. Previously “good” eaters can become picky. Part of the problem is that the new foods are different in consistency and texture from the foods to which they were accustomed. When making this switch, serve soft fruits such as bananas, peaches, and pears. Steam vegetables until they are soft, even mushy. If this doesn’t work, puree vegetables into a soup. You might lose some of the minerals from oversteaming vegetables such as broccoli, but your child will still get the fiber from them and will begin to eat the previously rejected food. As she gets older she will learn to appreciate crisper produce, but for the time being try to be content that she is eating a healthy, varied diet.

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