5 Tricks to Getting Your Picky Toddler to Eat

I have been compensated by PediaSure for this post; however, I am sharing my own thoughts. All opinions are my own.

Aren’t toddlers such cutie pies? They are entertaining, busy and curious about life. But sometimes they change their minds in a split second and you’re left with 15 pieces of toast that are not quite perfect enough for them. It’s a great source of stress for parents, especially when you try to feed your toddler new foods to help balance their diets. I hate to say “Picky Eater” but that’s what they are most of the time. One second they love apples, and the next they loath them entirely.

The first things we have to realize is that when our toddlers reject the food we place in front of them, they are not telling us that they hate that food and never want it again. So keep on trying to introduce it to them. Depending on the mood they are in, they might gobble it up tomorrow. If your toddler is turning away foods they like, they might be teething or sick. Sometimes they reject food because they want to show you that they are independent thinkers. Or they get a reaction out of you. So it’s good to be flexible and not worry too much.

One note though. If your child seems to be losing weight, or not gaining weight. Take them to the doctor. There might be something he or she can do to help you out. When my son was a toddler, he was such a skinny little thing. Recently I’ve learned about PediaSure Sidekicks Shakes for kids.

These little shakes pack a whopping 7 grams of protein and 25 vitamins and minerals that our picky eaters are missing in their finicky diets.

I wish we would have learned about PediaSure when my son was a toddler. PediaSure Sidekicks is clinically proven to help kids grow. And the delicious flavors they offer will please even the pickiest of eaters. They have Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry. PediaSure Sidekicks helps ensure your picky eater is getting the nutrients they need!

You can grab your PediaSure Sidekicks at Walmart in the baby section of the store. I love to take these on the go while we are running errands.

You can mix these into pancakes, or smoothies for added nutrients. CLICK HERE to learn more about PediaSure Sidekicks. Also, if you want to save some money, head to Walmart.com and you can get these in bundle deals and you can also earn $3 with ibotta.

Now, on with my tips for fussy eaters.

1. Avoid only making your toddlers favorite foods over and over. Serving her the same things all the time will make it harder to introduce new foods to her into her childhood and probably throughout her life. Giving them a variety of foods, like a bento box type of lunch, opens up her mind to trying new things.
2. Serve only a small amount of something new to your toddler. A tablespoon or two of something new is completely manageable and won’t overwhelm your toddler.
3. Try serving your toddler new foods earlier in the day when they are not already busy or overly tired. Catch them in the best mood possible and you will have better luck getting them to eat the healthy food you are serving them.
4. Let them help you put together their lunch. When they choose the food they want to eat and help you prepare it they will feel a sense of accomplishment and you’ll have a better chance at them eating all the food on their plate. Get them to pull the carrots out of the bag, tear lettuce, and arrange a beautiful plate.
5. Be their role model when it comes to trying new foods. If you want your child to eat bell peppers, then they should see you eating them too! Most toddlers want to be just like mommy.

The good news is that most toddlers and kids will eat when they are hungry. That’s when you catch them and make sure they are making good choices. And if you feel like your child is not getting enough of a variety of nutrients, talk to your pediatrician and try PediaSure Sidekicks.