Are Your Kids Picky Eaters? Here's What to Do

Posted On: 03/04/2026

Does mealtime feel like a battle? Many parents face the same challenge. Your child refuses anything green. They turn down new foods. They only eat the same three meals. Picky eating is frustrating, but it doesn't have to last forever. Most children go through picky eating phases, and you can help your child try new foods and build healthy habits.

Why Are Kids Picky?

A study in the journal Pediatrics followed children ages 4 to 9 to understand why picky eating happens. The researchers found that habits kids pick up early can even continue into adulthood. Their findings showed that picky eating:

Starts early, around age 2, and can last throughout childhood
Is more common in kids who have trouble managing strong feelings
Is more likely when parents are too strict about what or how much a child eats

Knowing what drives picky eating can help you try a new approach at home.

How to Help Your Child Try New Foods

The good news is that parents can make a difference. Start early—between ages 1 and 2 —by offering your child many different foods. Let your toddler try food off your plate. You don't always need to make a separate meal. Just be sure to avoid choking hazards like whole grapes, nuts, or large chunks of food.

Make Mealtimes Positive

One of the most important things you can do is keep mealtime positive. Kids notice how adults talk about food and bodies. If they hear negative comments, they are less likely to try new things.

Eat new foods together to show your kids you enjoy them. Your child is more likely to try broccoli if they see you eating it, too.

Never force a child to eat. This can make them see eating as punishment rather than something fun. Instead, offer new foods without pressure. Let them decide whether to try them.

Give Them Some Control

Let your child help plan meals. Teaching kids how to cook helps them understand healthy eating. It also makes them more interested in their meals.

Let them decide which new food to try. When offering new vegetables, give choices: "Would you like to try carrots or green beans tonight?" This makes them feel empowered rather than controlled.

Be Patient and Creative

If your child says no to a food, wait a few days before offering it again. This gives them time to think about it. They may change their mind.

Try cooking food in different ways. Roast vegetables instead of steaming them, or the other way around. Sometimes kids don't like how a food is cooked, not the food itself. Making healthy eating fun can help them get excited about trying something new.

When to Talk to Your Doctor

Most picky eating is normal. Kids often outgrow it. However, you should call your child's doctor if your child:

Refuses whole food groups for weeks at a time
Gets very upset or worried about trying new foods
Has fewer than 20 different foods they'll eat

Your child's doctor can check if your child is getting enough nutrients. They can help you create a feeding plan that works for your family. Regular checkups are a good time to talk about eating habits and make sure your child is getting the right nutrition each day.

Schedule Your Child's Well-Child Visit

As a PCHP member, you can schedule regular well-child checkups to track how your child is growing and developing.

Need help finding a doctor? Call Member Services at 1-888-672-2277 (STAR) or 1-888-814-2352 (CHIP/CHIP Perinate).

If you have questions between appointments, try the 24-Hour Nurse Line: