Creative ways to help a fussy eater — 2

Making food fun, interesting and about more than just eating is a great long-term strategy.

Building more comfort around food is always the end goal. If a child is unwilling to try new food, anxious at mealtimes or is not adding things to the menu, then supporting them to be more relaxed and positive around food really helps.

None of these are magic bullet ways to stop fussy eating or things that will miraculously have children happily eating the family meal. They can though help you approach food in a new way and in turn, teach your child to do the same.

Many of them are appropriate for children of any age but may have to be adapted to suit. Even if you have teens, there are activities that can be a win for them too!

Creative ways to help a fussy eater: link in comments

1. Shopping — food shopping may sound stressful and/or a boring thing to do with children, but it doesn’t have to be:

i) Supermarket — involving children in the shopping can change the dynamic. Rather than dragging them unwillingly around the store, if we empower them it can be a totally different experience.

We can give them their own shopping list. If they are pre-reading we can glue pictures. If they are older, perhaps they have input into what goes on the list. Having your own basket or trolley can be a game-changer.

ii) Farmers markets — seeing produce in its natural state is a positive. Browsing tables and seeing different greens and unusual fruit is as good experience.

iii) Experiential — berry or other fruit picking can be so much fun. It doesn’t mean your child will suddenly eat apples or strawberries, but it involves them in food in a new way.

2. Cookie cutters — getting the cookie cutters out to make fun shapes from food. We can use them for everything from sandwiches to pancakes, to mash.

Creating dinosaurs or letters may engage children in new ways. You can use raisins, sprinkles, corn, or Vegemite, for example, for decorating.