{"id":487203,"date":"2026-05-16T05:01:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T05:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/487203\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T05:01:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T05:01:16","slug":"nutrition-expert-demonstrates-foolproof-method-to-get-her-picky-kids-to-eat-anything","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/487203\/","title":{"rendered":"Nutrition expert demonstrates foolproof method to get her picky kids to \u2018eat anything\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picky eaters are a huge challenge for many parents, even though it\u2019s considered a normal developmental stage. Harvard Health Publishing<\/a> writes that young children being picky<\/a> about food<\/a> is one way they learn to assert their independence, for example.<\/p>\n

Even though it\u2019s extremely common and normal, experts also recommend that parents start early to break picky eating habits; once those habits get locked into place, they\u2019re even tougher to break. Which is just one more thing for overloaded parents<\/a> to worry about when planning meals is already difficult enough.<\/p>\n

One well-qualified mom demonstrates her thoughtful technique for getting picky eaters to \u201ceat anything\u201d<\/p>\n

Fitness coach Mel Avan, who has taught university-level health, wellness, and nutrition courses, has developed a method. It involves a lot of trial and error while raising a picky eater of her very own.<\/p>\n

\"moms,<\/p>\n

In a video posted to YouTube<\/a>, she not only explains the technique, but also demonstrates it in real time as she attempts to feed her skeptical son a noodle.<\/p>\n

It starts with creating a little scarcity. She\u2019s not overly animated about it, but she subtly creates the mystique that the pasta is something of a treat. \u201cCome try this,\u201d she says. \u201cYou can only have one piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, she stays completely neutral. She doesn\u2019t hype up how good it is or rave about how healthy it might be. Her son says it looks like a noodle. She agrees stoically. \u201cIt is a noodle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then she, in her words, shuts up. \u201cI let him lead the interaction. I ask questions, but I don\u2019t share my opinion or give praise.\u201d Not even to applaud him for being willing to try it.<\/p>\n

Finally, she waits. Sure enough, a few minutes later, her son announces he\u2019s hungry and that he \u201cwants the pasta.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mission accomplished.<\/p>\n

She elaborates in the caption that the entire thing hinges on decreasing pressure. A small portion lowers pressure. A neutral tone lowers pressure. A slow pace lowers pressure. And allowing the child to come to you when they want more makes it their idea to eat the food, rather than a way of appeasing you. Again, pressure.<\/p>\n

Mom gets challenged to repeat the demonstration under more difficult circumstances<\/p>\n

While the video went viral to the tune of more than a million views, and many viewers loved the technique on display, not everyone was satisfied.<\/p>\n

This being the Internet, it was only a matter of time before Avan got called out and challenged: A noodle? Really? Try a piece of broccoli or some spinach.<\/p>\n

She accepted the challenge and, in a follow-up video on Instagram<\/a>, introduced a few new techniques for more challenging foods that still fit within her core philosophy.<\/p>\n

First, she introduces an element of choice. \u201cDo you want me to serve your vegetables, or do you want to do it with the tongs?\u201d<\/p>\n

Next, and once again, tiny portions. A heaping pile of something they\u2019re skeptical about eating only makes the task more overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s one of her more unique tactics: serving food family-style. In this case, she made her son a plate with a small amount of veggies, but also offered the entire tray at the table, where he could easily grab more with a \u201cfun utensil.\u201d It\u2019s a way of giving him control.<\/p>\n

And finally, finding even more opportunities for autonomy and control. Since picky eating is often about independence, she lets her son control things that aren\u2019t as important, like where the ketchup goes on his plate.<\/p>\n

Mom, and experts, weigh in on \u201cEat what I made or don\u2019t eat\u201d<\/p>\n

In another follow-up video, Avan responds to comments suggesting that she was doing too much coddling and manipulating. Instead, some old-school parents favor the \u201cEither you eat what I made, or you don\u2019t eat\u201d approach.<\/p>\n

Avan says that, in her personal experience, this approach backfired spectacularly. When kids don\u2019t eat, not only is it unsafe and unhealthy, but you\u2019ll also run into a host of behavior problems as they get crankier.<\/p>\n

At least one study<\/a> has found that putting pressure on children to eat, or to eat more, can actually have the opposite effect: \u201cChildren consumed significantly more food when they were not pressured to eat and they made overwhelmingly fewer negative comments.\u201d<\/p>\n

And if things aren\u2019t going well, research cited by Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia<\/a> says you shouldn\u2019t give up: It can take eight to 15 exposures to a new food before a child will willingly accept it.<\/p>\n

The old-school parents of yesteryear got a lot more right than we\u2019re often willing to give them credit for. However, our understanding of child psychology has grown by leaps and bounds, and clinically validated research can teach us a lot about how to handle challenges like picky eating. Lowering pressure instead of increasing it, and remaining neutral rather than excited or angry, is far more effective.<\/p>\n

But in the end, picky eating is normal for young kids, and as long as you make a solid effort, most eventually grow out of the phase.<\/p>\n

The post Nutrition expert demonstrates foolproof method to get her picky kids to \u2018eat anything\u2019<\/a> appeared first on Upworthy<\/a>.<\/p>\n