A shared lunch for kids

One technique I used for introducing new foods to my kids when they were young was to use one large plate to serve the foods on.

This seems very simple but the learning opportunities were endless. Children are naturally skeptical when it comes to new foods and for good reason. My goal was to build trust so that my kids would be open to trying things, but in a low stakes, low pressure environment.

By making a shared platter, we all could eat together, practice sharing, communicate about the foods and provide support for anyone feeling reluctant to try something. Sharing seemed to take the pressure off by making every food item feel like a hot commodity or a novel treat.

By including a variety of colors, textures and flavors, my kids were sure to find something to enjoy as I often paired new foods with foods they already knew and loved.

If you find that a shared lunch plate creates arguments or unmanageable stress in your home, I encourage you to only try this when you feel you have the capacity to participate in the experience in a supportive way.

If children are struggling to share, it may be a good way to practice taking turns or learning how to talk about needs, wants and expectations. Maybe starting with only sharing one item and working up to more will work better for some.

You are the expert on your family but being intentional with your goals for helping support your kids to be adventurous eaters starts in your kitchen.