Picky Eaters

Picky eating is a common behavior among toddlers. This page contains several resources for dealing with and addressing picky eating.

Healthy Tips for Picky Eaters Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, FNS
This handout provides tips for coping with picky eating, getting a child to try new foods, and helping a child develop healthy eating habits.

Phrases that HELP and HINDER Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, CNPP
This handout provides positive phrases to use that can help develop healthy eating habits.

Kitchen Helper Activities Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, CNPP
This handout provides age-appropriate tasks for each year between two and five year olds so they can help out in the kitchen. Children are less likely to reject foods they help make.

Picky Eaters Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Reviews typical toddler eating behavior, tips for handling/addressing this issue, and foods to avoid due to the risk of choking. This site is also available in Spanish.

How to Handle Picky Eaters Source: Zero to Three
Discusses this behavior in toddlers, reviews the parents' role, and provides suggestions for how to, and how not to, respond to picky eating.