Sometimes, children aren't necessarily opposed to a food itself but may have difficulty with its texture, shape, size, or appearance. Changing how a familiar food is prepared or presented can make it feel more approachable without introducing something completely new.
Think about chicken, for example! Chicken can be offered in so many different forms:
Ground chicken
Chicken meatballs
Chicken nuggets
Chicken tenders
Chicken patties
Chicken cutlets
Grilled or baked chicken breast
Shredded chicken
Chicken mixed into pasta or casseroles
These foods may share a familiar flavor, but their textures, shapes, and appearances can feel very different to a child.
You can try this with other familiar foods, too!
Potatoes: French fries, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, hash browns, or baked potatoes.
Apples: Whole, sliced, diced, peeled, or served with a fun shape.
Cheese: Slices, cubes, shredded, melted, or cut with cookie cutters.
Eggs: Scrambled, hard-boiled, omelet, or egg muffins.
The goal isn't to trick children into eating something new. Instead, you're creating opportunities to explore familiar foods in different ways and gradually build flexibility.
Remember: You don't always need a new food. Sometimes, you just need a new presentation!
Want More Support?
The Picky Eater’s Playbook is a parent-friendly program created by Kelsey, a pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding.
The program walks families through the why behind picky eating and provides practical strategies for sensory challenges, oral-motor differences, food refusal, mealtime routines, reducing pressure, and helping children build a more positive relationship with food.
The goal isn't to force children to eat more.
It's to help them feel more confident, comfortable, and successful around food.
Learn more about The Picky Eater’s Playbook or reach out to learn whether it may be a good fit for your family.
