Help your child to try new foods with these 5 parenting strategies.
Children need courage to embrace life fully and be adventurous – and this includes facing challenges, such as trying new foods. So how can we, as parents, support them in developing this essential quality?
Here are five key areas to focus on:
Acceptance
Accept your child for who they truly are. It can be tempting to label children – "she's shy", "he's a fussy eater", or "they're just picky" – but these labels can create boxes that children feel stuck in. Instead, celebrate their individuality. Recognise that they have their own ways of thinking and experiencing the world. Complete acceptance means letting go of ideas about who we think our children should be and instead noticing and embracing who they are.
Attention
Giving our children our full attention – even in short bursts – communicates that their thoughts and feelings matter. This includes those mealtime moments when they're struggling with new textures or flavours. Listen to their concerns without rushing to fix or dismiss them. Creating regular, uninterrupted time where they can lead the play or conversation helps them build the confidence to express themselves and be brave in their thinking – including when it comes to trying new foods.
Appreciation
Let your child know what you love and admire about them. When you tell your child they are adventurous, thoughtful, imaginative, or curious (even if that curiosity means that focusing on food is a special event), they'll begin to believe it themselves. When children build up a bank of these positive truths, they can draw on them in difficult moments – including the courage to try new foods or step outside their comfort zones.
Praise in Moderation
Praise can be powerful, but if we overuse it for achievements alone – "Good job for eating all your carrots!" – children may start to associate their worth with what they do rather than who they are. This can create pressure to perform and anxiety around not meeting expectations. Instead, lean into appreciation: "I noticed how curious you were about that new food – you are adventurous." This helps them feel seen for their qualities and efforts rather than just their outcomes.
(For more on this, read Appreciation vs Praise at Caroline Rowett Coaching)
A Courageous Role Model
Children learn best by watching us. How often do you step out of your comfort zone, try something new, or admit when you're unsure? Even something as small as trying a food you've never liked in front of your child shows courage. Modelling these behaviours lets your child know that it's okay to feel uncertain – and it's also okay to try anyway.
Living courageously ourselves can be challenging. Accepting our child often begins with accepting ourselves. Giving our full attention means managing our time and priorities effectively. Offering heartfelt appreciation might stir up reflections on what we didn't receive growing up. And being a brave role model requires self-compassion and awareness. The challenges of parenting can feel overwhelming, so if you'd like support in any of these areas, Caroline offers 1-to-1 coaching to help parents navigate these deeper challenges with confidence.
Additionally, if you would like your meals planned for you to include food-chaining, continued exposure, and reduced food waste, Josephine offers 1-to-1 nutrition coaching.
Contact us here to find out more.
