Raising kids who are picky eaters can be frustrating and downright depressing at times. It may be genetic, or at least some of us have a genetic tendency to dislike bitter flavors that are a part of so many vegetables - and it takes a few (or a lot) of years to grow out the bitter-vegetable hating phase.
Sometimes it helps to have your kids assist in the meal planning and cooking. Being involved seems to make some kids more open to trying different foods. You can also puree, blend or mash cooked vegetables and hide them in the kids' macaroni and cheese or spaghetti sauce. Not all experts think that's a good thing to do, but it works for some people.
I think the most important thing is to be patient. It takes time, but eventually most kids will grow out of their picky phases, so don't make a big issue out of it; battles at the table ruin the meal for everyone.
Tips for Raising Picky Eaters
Picky eaters have never been hungry.
My husband and I – and many others of course, were raised during the war in England with severe rationing. Food was scarce, we ate things which you can’t even imagine now – but we were never picky.
No snacks (snacks? We’d never heard of them), small portions, plenty of bread and as many vegetables of all kinds which were available and affordable. Of course they were always seasonal too and nothing exotic.
Our own children were brought up the same way, they never refused anything even if they didn’t like it. They were active and hungry.
Our grandchildren are the same – when they are with us! But there again they love our food and cooking even when they don’t eat it at home.