How to Satisfy the Picky Eaters in Your Family

1. Involve them in the cooking process. Kids and adults alike are more likely to want to eat what they helped to create. So next time you're making a meal, invite them to help you shop for the ingredients, measure them out, or stir the pot.

2. Offer a variety of foods at each meal. This will help ensure that there's something for everyone, and it will also encourage them to try new things.

3. Don't force them to eat anything they don't want to. If they don't like something, don't make them eat it. Just offer them something else that they might like better.

4. Be patient. It takes time for people to develop new tastes. So don't get discouraged if they don't take to a new food right away. Just keep offering it to them, and eventually they may learn to like it.

5. Make meals fun. Eating is a social activity, so make mealtime a fun and positive experience. Talk to each other, play games, or listen to music.

6. Don't bribe them to eat. Bribing them to eat will only make them more resistant to trying new foods.

7. Set a good example. If the rest of the family eats healthy foods, they're more likely to follow suit.

8. Be realistic. Don't expect them to eat everything you put in front of them. Just focus on offering them healthy foods and encouraging them to try new things.

Here are some specific tips for dealing with some common picky eating habits:

If they're afraid to try new foods, start by offering them small portions of new foods. You can also try serving them new foods in a familiar way, such as by adding them to a dish they already like.

If they're only interested in eating processed foods, try offering them healthier versions of their favorite processed foods. For example, you can make your own pizza using whole-wheat dough, low-fat cheese, and plenty of vegetables.

If they're only interested in eating one or two foods, don't give up. Just keep offering them new foods and eventually they may learn to like them.

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