Tips For Introducing New Foods

Tips to introducing new foods:

Have the familiar food you are “chaining” from present
Have him be a “scientist” and describe the food’s flavor, smell, look, taste, shape etc. Have them then describe the new food(s) and similarities.
Present two “new” foods along with the familiar food and allow them to have the control of which they try.
Remember “trying” can mean different things for different kids—touching, kissing, licking, chewing and spitting, holding in his mouth—are all forms of “trying”.
Help to prepare them for the new foods by talking about it, modeling, and using positive communication.
Use “dips” of ranch, chocolate, pudding, yogurt, salad dressings etc. to try a new food by using a preferred dip.
Allow them to have the preferred food or a drink ready to eat after the new food in case they don’t like it.
Have an “all done” bowl ready for foods they try but don’t prefer. Allow them to bite and spit out foods at first.
Ask to describe the foods they try—if you ask if they like it, most will say “no” even without thinking about. Make it an open-ended question:
- Was it crunchier than the ____________(preferred food)
- How does it smell compared to the ________?
- What do you think it tasted like?
- How much did you like it?

PRAISE! Use much verbal praise even for small steps to encourage further participation. ∙ Stay away from all negative words.
Reinforce ALL POSITIVE FOOD BEHAVIORS including touching, smelling, or even tolerating new foods on their plate.