Tips for Getting Your Fussy Eater to Try New Foods
Dealing with a picky eater can be frustrating at best, and stressful at worst!
Toddlers are renowned for developing a sense of independence, so it is important not to give their fussy eating too much attention as this can sometimes encourage the very behaviour we are trying to discourage. Easier said than done, we know! But, if you shift your perspective and see their behaviour as developmentally appropriate, it can be easier to handle food refusal calmly, rather than approaching mealtimes as a battle to be won.
The good news is that whilst almost 50% of parents identify their child as a ‘picky eater,’ the vast majority of them do not actually have what medical professionals would deem a severely restricted diet or sub-optimal growth.
Getting children involved in mealtime prep might take a little longer, but it is a great strategy for getting children more excited about new foods. Helping with age appropriate tasks in the kitchen not only helps foster a sense of ownership over the meal or snack that is being prepared, it also supports their burgeoning need for independence and helps to teach healthy lifelong habits.
We’ve put together a list of awesome products that will help you and your child have fun in the kitchen and promote a healthy attitude around trying new food.
Not only are homemade pizza’s healthier than takeaway pizzas, they are super fun to make!
MasterPro Ultimate Pizza Oven Red RRP $129
No more store-bought pizzas on Friday nights when you can bake them at home in 5 minutes using the red MasterPro Ultimate Pizza Oven. Stunning on the counter and an efficient pizza baker, this versatile cooking appliance even works as a bread toaster for busy workday mornings. With its two ceramic heating elements, serve pizzeria-style pizzas every time with this compact oven from MasterPro.
Even the most wilful of toddlers is unlikely to turn down a colourful smoothie – and they are a great way to add a few extra fruit or vegetables to your child’s daily dozen!
The Cuisinart Compact Portable Blending & Chopping System in an attractive red is your answer to all your food prep needs. Make smoothies, soups, sauces and more with the shatter-resistant 960ml glass blender and 240ml chopping cup. Four 480ml travel cups are included in the set for on-the-go convenience. Powered by 350 watts, this blending and chopping system features an electronic touch pad with LED indicator lights for easy control, ultra-sharp stainless steel blades for maximum performance and a streamlined design that won’t take up space on your bench – all in a sleek, brushed stainless steel housing. This Cuisinart system is one efficient gadget you’ll really appreciate! Dishwasher safe, covered by a limited 3-year warranty.
Cuisinart Compact Portable Blending Chopping System $189
Food that looks fun is more inviting to little diners. Toddlers can use these cookie cutters to help you with an afternoon baking activity, or you could use them to make food they might usually refuse a little more appealing.
These brightly coloured cutters are bound to capture the imagination of your family’s budding young baker. Shapes include fish, dog, cat, birds and reptiles among many others. At 7.5 cms, the cutters make cookies of a nicely manageable size. Let the fun begin!
Wilton Animal Pals Cookie Cutter Set 50pc $24.95
Worried that your toddler isn’t eating enough at day care or kinder? Bento lunchboxes are a great way to offer a small selection of different, colourful snack options on a regular basis. It’s a great way to expose your child to previously rejected food without pressure.
Break up the monotony when preparing lunch for school and give it a good dose of variety through the purple Munchbox Maxi 6 Bento Box. With its six-compartment tray, you can prepare sandwich with fruit one day then a colourful array of mini snack bites the next. Your kids will surely look forward for lunch time so they can happily show off and eat your daily food surprise.
NEW Munchbox Maxi 6 Bento Box $44.95
Make vegetables more interesting, and easy to hold with little hands with this spiral slicer!
The art of creating julienne strips and ribbon spirals for salads, stir fries, garnishes and pasta alternatives is as easy as placing your firm fresh vegetables into this clever spiral slicer and twisting. Hold in place with the removable finger guard and transform your carrots, radishes, cucumbers, zucchinis and more into uniformly elegant spirals, with the flick of the wrist. Practical and smart, this clever gadget is made in Germany and makes the perfect giftor any fresh food lover. Slices two different sizes: 2x3mm and 3.5 x 5mm
NEW Gefu Spirelli Spiral Slicer 2.0 $39.95
Make delicious pies at home with your family’s favourite ingredients with this pie maker!
Despite the name, there really is no magic involved in making top notch pies, but having the right kit is essential. This Sunbeam Pie Maker Magic Traditional 4 is a good product, which helps families across Australia and beyond to make perfect sweet or savoury pies, time after time. It can make up to 4 pies at a time and will plug into the wall socket or a camping generator.
Sunbeam Pie Magic Traditional 4 Up
Food processors are a fantastic way to incorporate and hide more vegetables into everyday recipes.
New Kenwood – FDM300SS – Multipro Compact Food Processor $129
Your little chef will look the part in his or her own apron, mitts and chef hat!
When you have a little budding chef at home, the Ecology May Gibbs Kid’s Chef’s Set Blossom come in handy as a gift. This set includes an adorable apron, oven glove and chef’s hat that easily transforms your aspiring kid into a real home cook. Thanks to its lovely and iconic gumnut babies print, this set is not only appropriate for the kids but fun and stylish too.
Ecology May Gibbs Kids Chefs Set 3pc
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Would love to try this product any nathral product is better for our environment and ourselves would be great