Does your child happily eat dosa, rice and biscuits but refuse vegetables?
You are not alone!
Many young children go through phases of rejecting unfamiliar foods. Sometimes it is the taste, texture, colour or simply the appearance of something new.
The good news is that eating habits can develop gradually.
Five simple things to try
1. Start small. Offer a tiny portion of vegetables alongside familiar foods.
2. Make food colourful. Try vegetable uttapam, carrot idli or beetroot chapati.
3. Involve your child. Let them wash tomatoes, select vegetables or arrange their plate.
4. Eat together. Children learn by watching parents and other family members.
5. Avoid food battles. Do not force-feed or threaten your child for refusing vegetables.
Offer rejected foods again on another day without pressure. Children sometimes need repeated opportunities to become comfortable with unfamiliar foods.
You can also serve vegetables in different forms. A child who dislikes carrot sabzi may enjoy cooked carrot in khichdi or uttapam.
However, continue offering vegetables in recognisable forms too, so children become familiar with their natural appearance.
💚 Earlyhood Parent Tip
Your responsibility is to offer nutritious food regularly. Allow your child to decide how much to eat.
One rejected vegetable does not mean your child will dislike it forever.
If food refusal affects growth or becomes severe, consult a paediatrician.
Source: UNICEF – Tips for Picky Eaters
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