To make life easier for parents, the occupational therapy assistant shared a simple yet effective piece of advice
For many parents, mealtime with children becomes a real challenge, especially if the little one refuses to try new dishes. The expert in occupational therapy explains why toddlers are reluctant to try new foods.
Children's Eating Behavior
As specialists note, such behavior is absolutely normal for children, especially under the age of 5. The main thing is for the child to remain active, feel good, and have a balanced diet, meaning they consume at least one product from each main group: vegetables and fruits, proteins, grains, dairy products or their alternatives.
However, to make life easier for parents, the occupational therapy assistant shared a simple yet effective piece of advice. She recommends placing new food on the child's plate at every meal, even if the little one does not touch it.
"Tastes change, but only if the food 'stays nearby,'" explained the expert, who has 18 years of experience working with children.
According to her, a child may need more than 20 attempts to feel comfortable around a new product and decide to try it. Therefore, if the little one pushes away or ignores a dish, it does not mean they dislike it; they just are not used to it yet.
In her video, the specialist demonstrated an experiment with grapes: she placed the berries on the child's plate for 11 consecutive days. At first, the child didn't even pay attention to them, then tried them, spat them out, and finally ate them with pleasure.
"There is no need to force or emphasize the food. Just let it 'live' on the plate. The goal is not for them to like it immediately, but for the child to feel safe," noted the therapist.
She also added that if a child consistently refuses most foods or has a strong sensitivity to textures or smells, it may be a sign of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) or sensory processing issues. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor or a pediatric therapy specialist.
This advice has already garnered hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, and parents note that the method of 'constant presence' of food really helps children gradually overcome their fear of new tastes without pressure and tears.
