Your Question
My 6-year-old son only wants to eat chicken nuggets or tortilla chips. He refuses to try any vegetables. The only fruit he eats is strawberries, and he doesn’t want to try anything else. I don’t know what to do to encourage him to eat a variety of foods. It’s difficult for me to cook because he doesn’t want to eat what I make for the rest of the family. How can I help him?
Answer
Hi there, and welcome to Ask Robyn,
Thank you so much for reaching out with your question. It sounds like your 6-year-old son is currently focused on a few favorite foods like chicken nuggets and tortilla chips, which is entirely common at his age. Many children go through phases of picky eating as they start to explore their independence and form their own preferences. This is a natural part of development, and thankfully, there are several gentle and effective strategies you can try to encourage him to broaden his diet.
One helpful approach is to make mealtimes a consistent family activity where you eat together without distractions. Children often learn by example, so if he sees you enjoying a variety of foods, he may be more inclined to try them too. Another idea is to involve him in preparing and cooking meals. When children take part in food preparation, they’re often more interested in tasting what they’ve helped create.
If you notice that your son resists certain foods, it could be due to texture, taste, or even temperature preferences, which is quite common. You might gently talk with him about why he feels hesitant toward certain foods and listen to any objections he shares. Approach the conversation with encouragement, letting him know that trying new foods is important for his health and that you’re there to support him.
Picky eating often fades as children grow older, but if you’re looking for more specific guidance, there are some fantastic resources available online. The Health Service Executive (HSE) offers excellent tips and strategies for tackling fussy eating in children, which you can find at the links below:
•Tackling Fussy Eating in Children (HSE PDF)
•Allergies & Fussy Eating (HSE)
Additionally, Bord Bia and Tusla have great resources on encouraging healthy eating:
•Encouraging Healthy Eating (Tusla)
The HSE also hosts a free monthly webinar called “Take the Fuss Out of Fussy Eating,” which might be helpful if you’re looking for live support. You can find more information here: Take the Fuss Out of Fussy Eating Webinar
If you have any more questions related to this or anything else, we want to reassure you that we are always here if you need to talk. The ISPCC’s Support Line can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by phone from Monday to Friday, 9am – 1pm on 01 522 4300.
Take care, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any more guidance.
Robyn
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