Generating image...
This takes about 20 seconds
Using Rewards to Encourage Toddlers to Try New Foods
A structured overview of what credible sources and parent perspectives commonly say about this topic.
Quick answer
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using food as a reward or punishment because it may lead to unhealthy eating habits. Instead, parents can use the division of responsibility approach, offering a variety of healthy foods repeatedly without pressure, and modeling positive eating behaviors.
At a glance
Things to try now
What to do now
- 1Offer a small portion of a new food alongside a familiar food your toddler likes.
- 2Involve your toddler in a simple food prep task like washing vegetables.
- 3Eat the new food yourself with enthusiasm to model enjoyment.
What to say
- “You can try a little bite if you want, or just eat your favorite food today.”
- “Look, I’m trying this new food too! It tastes crunchy and sweet.”
- “It’s okay if you don’t want to eat it now; maybe next time you’ll like it.”
What to practice consistently
- Consistently offering new foods multiple times without pressure.
- Maintaining calm, pleasant mealtimes without battles.
- Following the division of responsibility: you decide what and when, your child decides how much.
What to avoid
- Using food or dessert as a reward or punishment.
- Pressuring or forcing your toddler to eat new foods.
- Showing frustration or turning mealtimes into a battle.
These are common approaches mentioned in sources and by parents. They are informational, not prescriptive.
What this usually involves
- Repeatedly offering new foods 10 to 15 times without pressure
- Serving at least one familiar food alongside new or less-preferred foods
- Parents deciding what, when, and where food is served; child decides how much to eat (division of responsibility)
- Modeling healthy eating by eating a variety of foods as a family
- Avoiding food rewards or punishments to prevent unhealthy associations
- Involving children in simple food preparation tasks to increase interest
Related questions
While some parents try stickers or praise, experts recommend focusing on low-pressure exposure and modeling rather than rewards to avoid creating food-related behavior issues.
Research suggests offering a new food 10 to 15 times before a toddler may be willing to try it.
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
Effective Strategies to Encourage Picky Eaters to Try New Foods
Picky eating is common among toddlers and preschoolers and typically does not signal nutritional problems. Encouraging children to try new foods involves repeated, low-pressure exposure, serving familiar foods alongside new ones, and modeling healthy eating habits as a family.
Encouraging Toddlers to Try New Foods: Practical Strategies for Parents
Toddlers commonly exhibit picky eating, which usually does not indicate nutritional problems. Encouraging new food acceptance involves repeated, low-pressure exposure, modeling healthy eating, and making mealtimes pleasant without pressure or food rewards.
Effective Strategies to Encourage Children to Try New Foods
Encouraging children to try new foods often requires patience and repeated exposure without pressure. Common guidance includes offering a variety of healthy options regularly, involving children in food preparation, and modeling positive eating behaviors during pleasant family meals.
Using Non-Food Rewards to Encourage Eating in Children
Using non-food rewards to encourage children to eat can be a helpful strategy to avoid creating unhealthy associations with food. Experts recommend focusing on low-pressure exposure to new foods and positive mealtime environments rather than pressuring children or using food as a reward or punishment.
From around the web
Picky Eating in Toddlers
Discusses common picky eating behaviors and strategies to manage them.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Tips to Help Your Child Eat Healthy Foods
Offers practical advice for encouraging healthy eating habits in young children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Making Mealtimes Pleasant
Provides guidance on creating positive mealtime environments for children.
Nemours KidsHealth