Did you know it may take up to 8-10 times to like a new food? It is all about exposure. This is what we tell parents of picky eaters. I learned this lesson myself with a four legged friend. You see, I had a negative experience with a dog when I was young – the story goes that a neighborhood dog pounced on me and hence, traumatized me for decades. My forties have brought several unexpected changes in my life, one being our family adopting Ginger.
How is adopting Ginger like eating vegetables? Some kids are picky eaters and will not eat vegetables. There are many reasons for being a picky eater: voicing independence, lack of mealtime structure and having a negative experience with food (i.e. food burning or scraping one’s mouth). As a clinician, we encourage picky eaters to be included in meal selection, preparation and continuous exposure to new foods. Sometimes, just touching or squeezing a new food is a step to liking the new food.
3 years ago, our youngest son was 3 years old. My sister adopted a new Aussiedoodle – a sweet puppy. We went to visit the breeder’s home and fell in love with a standard Goldendoodle pup. My husband, who has seen me frantic around dogs, was amazed at my relaxed nature around this pup- but, we decided a standard Goldendoodle was too large for our home. Weeks later, we considered adopting a mini golden doodle – but, again, felt the commitment was not appropriate for our family at that time. 3 years later, after many weekends of dog sitting my sister’s Aussiedoodle, we had been exposed! Just like with new foods, an outlook changes. Ginger was on our plate! We prayed and involved our boys in the conversation of the commitment of a dog joining our family and it happened! Ginger became a member of our family this past December. She is a mini Goldendoodle and just perfect – for us.
Even though it may seem bleak for your child in liking a new food, don’t give up! Continue exposing your child. Over time, it may happen. Have patience!
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