How Many Times Should You Offer a New Food Before Giving Up?
A structured overview of what credible sources and parent perspectives commonly say about this topic.
Quick answer
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends offering a new food 10 to 15 times before considering giving up on it. This approach involves repeated, low-pressure exposure without forcing the child to eat, supporting a positive relationship with food.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 1Offer the new food again today alongside a favorite food without pressuring your child to eat it.
- 2Involve your child in simple food prep tasks like washing vegetables or stirring to increase interest.
- 3Model eating the new food yourself and express positive comments about it.
What to say
- “It's okay if you don't want to eat this now. You can try it whenever you're ready.”
- “I like how you tried a little bit! We can have more next time if you want.”
- “It looks like your tummy is full — we can save this for later.”
What to practice consistently
- Consistently offering a variety of healthy foods without pressure at meals and snacks.
- Eating meals together as a family to model healthy eating habits.
- Maintaining a calm and pleasant mealtime environment without battles or pressure.
What to avoid
- Pressuring or forcing your child to eat new foods.
- Using food as a reward or punishment.
- Withholding dessert or favorite foods to coerce eating.
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What this usually involves
- Offering a variety of healthy foods at meals and snacks without pressure
- Serving at least one familiar food the child likes alongside new foods to reduce mealtime stress
- Modeling healthy eating behaviors by eating a variety of foods as a family
- Avoiding using food as a reward or withholding dessert as punishment
- Allowing the child to decide whether and how much to eat (division of responsibility approach)
- Involving children in age-appropriate food preparation to increase interest
Related questions
Involve your child in food preparation, serve vegetables alongside familiar favorites, and model eating them yourself without pressure.
Occasional refusal is common, but persistent refusal of entire food groups over time should be discussed with a pediatrician.
It is a method where parents decide what, when, and where food is served, and the child decides whether and how much to eat.
Related articles on Parent.wiki
How Many Times Should You Offer a New Food to Your Child?
Children often need multiple exposures to a new food before they are willing to try it. Research and pediatric guidance suggest offering a new food 10 to 15 times with low pressure to encourage acceptance without stress.
How Many Times Should a Child Be Exposed to a New Food Before Accepting It?
Children often need multiple exposures to a new food before they are willing to try and accept it. Research and expert guidance suggest that offering a new food 10 to 15 times, without pressure, helps increase acceptance over time.
How Many Times Should You Offer New Foods to Your Toddler?
Toddlers often need multiple exposures to new foods before accepting them, with research suggesting 10 to 15 tries are common. Offering new foods repeatedly without pressure, alongside familiar favorites, helps toddlers develop healthy eating habits.
How Many Times Should You Offer New Foods to Your Child?
Children often need multiple exposures to new foods before accepting them, with research suggesting 10 to 15 tries may be necessary. Offering new foods repeatedly without pressure, alongside familiar favorites, helps create a positive mealtime environment and encourages acceptance over time.
From around the web
Picky Eating: How to Handle It
Covers strategies for managing picky eating in toddlers and preschoolers.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Tips to Help Your Child Eat Healthy Foods
Provides practical tips for encouraging healthy eating habits in young children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Feeding and Nutrition: Your Child’s Development
Discusses feeding challenges and how to create positive mealtime experiences.
Nemours KidsHealth