Getting fussy kids to try new foods

Got a toddler or pre-schooler who wants to eat nothing but macaroni cheese and biscuits? You're not the only one! Here's some tips to get them trying new foods:

• Get involved: toddlers can stir a pot (even if it doesn't really need stirring), add ingredients to the mix, mash spuds, shell peas, get ingredients from the pantry or fridge... If they've got a sense of ownership over their food, they might even try actually eating some!
• Camouflage: add pureed carrot or mashed pumpkin to tomato-based pasta sauces (especially easy to hide in lasagne), pureed cauliflower or mashed potato to bread mix, or just pour cheese sauce or tomato sauce on the offending vegies.
• Perfect partnerships: put a small amount of something new on the plate next to an old favourite, and do the same with your own plate. Without making a fuss about it, let your toddler see that you're eating the new food and the old favourite. Perhaps they'll do the same... and if it doesn't work this time, keep trying it without making a big deal about it.

One downside to getting toddlers to shell peas is the difficulty in buying garden peas at the shops - it seems nobody sells them anymore! Growing your own is the best way to get fresh vegies, and like cooking it can foster a sense of the child's ownership of the food. Join in the Kreative Kids herb potting activity at Rodney's Nursery this week (with morning tea provided too) and you'll be on your way to kids eating their summer salads.