A child’s diet can be a source of parental stress. How many parents and therapists hear this every day: “I don’t want to taste it! I’m not hungry! I don’t like this!”
Firstly, it is important to have realistic expectations about feeding our children. Between 25-35 % of “normal” children will experience feeding difficulties, not to mention 33-80 % of children with developmental disorders. We must not forget that the food neophobia phase (the fear of new foods) is a normal stage of development, exhibited in almost 75% of children aged 2 to 10 years!

This means that it is normal for children to refuse certain foods and would rather play than eat. Here are some tips to help make meals more enjoyable and to introduce foods to your children:
 Try the one item challenge plate: The rest of the food has to be liked. The challenging food portion must be realistic (a broccoli floret).
 Never force the child to eat or the food will be remembered negatively. Threats, reprimands or pressure can suppress the appetite.
 Provide positive role models (eat the same thing!)
 A child may need 10-20 exposures (or more) to a food in order to taste or eat it.
 Fun, fun! Meals should be pleasant! An upset or crying child is less likely to eat.
 Dessert should not be a negotiation tool. Present a portion whether or not the meal was eaten. The child can decide if he is hungry or not. Dessert should not be seen as a reward after a “trial” (the meal), but as an integral part of the meal. (If the child is still hungry after dessert because he didn’t eat his main course, then reintroduce it, but don’t give a second helping of dessert.)
 Give food that the child can manage in his mouth! Many children have oral -motor difficulties which may partially explain they are not attracted to certain foods (eg. meat, vegetables, etc.).

It is important to consult a professional if your child:
 is disorganized by the site of food
 eats less than 30 foods
 exhibits sensory difficulties with food
 shows difficulty progressing with textures
 exhibits challenging behavior during meals or snacks
 etc.

References:
Tessier, M.J. (2011). Formations : La dysphagie chez l’enfant ET les troubles d’alimentation d’ordre sensoriel.
Toomey, K., et al. (2014). When Children Won’t Eat: The SOS Ap-proach to feeding.
Canadian Pediatric Society: http://www.cps.ca/fr/documents/position/tout-petit-prescolaire-qui-ne-mange-pas (2014-10-14)
Video clips from the site Nos petits mangeurs.org : http://www.nospetitsmangeurs.org/video/serpents-echelles-et-neophobie/ (2014-10-14)