Fussy Eaters: How to Get Your Toddler to Try New Foods

It’s dinnertime, and your toddler is staring at the plate in front of them. You’ve prepared a range of foods, from colourful fruit and vegetables to iron-rich yoghurt and grains, but your little one turns away. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many parents face the challenge of a fussy eater at some point — and while it can feel frustrating, fussy eating in toddlers is a normal part of child development. Fussy Eaters!

In this guide, we’ll explore why toddlers become picky eaters, how to manage mealtime battles, and strategies to help your child try new food with confidence.

Why Toddlers Become Fussy Eaters

Toddlerhood is a stage of exploration, independence, and sometimes stubborn behaviour. Children may reject new foods, fuss over texture, or stick to a small range of foods they feel safe with.

Some common reasons for fussy eating in children include:

• Slower growth rate compared to infancy, which reduces appetite.
• Natural caution when faced with unfamiliar tastes and textures.
• Desire for independence — refusing food can be a way to express control.
• Overexposure to less nutritious foods that create strong preferences.

While fussy eating can feel stressful, most children eventually learn to enjoy a wider variety of healthy food with gentle guidance and patience.

Signs Your Child May Be a Fussy Eater

A child is a fussy eater if they:

• Eat only a limited range of foods.
• Fuss during mealtime or refuse to sit at the table.
• Push away fruit and vegetables, preferring sweeter or bland tastes.
• Show resistance to new food, even after repeated attempts.

Some fuss is completely normal, but if your child isn’t eating enough nutritious foods or growth is affected, it may be time to seek advice from a dietitian or child health nurse.

Tips to Help Your Child Try New Foods – Fussy Eaters

Encouraging a fussy eater takes patience, creativity, and consistency. Here are proven tips to help:

1. Make Mealtime Calm and Positive

Stress at mealtime often leads to resistance. Keep the atmosphere relaxed and avoid forcing your toddler to eat. Encourage your child to taste new food without pressure.

2. Offer a Range of Foods

Exposure is key. Even if your toddler refuses at first, continue offering a variety of food groups — from yoghurt and fruit to mashed foods, finger foods, and vegetables. Repeated gentle exposure helps children learn to accept new tastes.

3. Eat Together as a Family

Children learn by watching. Family meals provide an opportunity for them to see parents and siblings eating healthy food. Over time, this encourages children to try foods themselves.

4. Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

Focus on consistent eating habits instead of one-off battles. Keep mealtimes regular, limit snacks close to meals, and avoid using food as a reward or punishment.

5. Get Creative with Food Presentation

Try making meals more appealing by cutting fruit and vegetables into fun shapes or combining them with foods your child already likes. This helps spark curiosity and reduces fuss.

6. Introduce New Foods Slowly

Start with one or two new foods at a time, combining them with familiar meals. For example, mix mashed foods into yoghurt or add finely grated vegetables to pasta.

7. Respect Appetite Cues

A toddler’s appetite can vary day to day. Trust that your child may eat more at one meal and less at another. Forcing food can create negative associations with mealtime.

When to Ask for Help – Fussy Eaters

While fussy eating is common, some children may have deeper challenges with eating habits. If your child shows signs of extreme fussiness, ongoing refusal of most food groups, or poor growth, reach out to a child health nurse or dietitian. Professional guidance can help you manage concerns before they affect long-term health.

Parent Stories: Real-Life Mealtime Wins

Emma, mum of two:
“My toddler refused all vegetables for months. I felt defeated. With advice from a health nurse, I started offering tiny portions alongside favourite foods. After a few weeks, she finally tried broccoli — now it’s her favourite.”

James, dad of a fussy eater:
“We turned family meals into a routine, and stopped cooking separate meals for our son. Watching us enjoy healthy food encouraged him to try a wider range of foods.”

These stories remind us that fussy eating is a stage many families face — and one you can navigate with support.

Final Thoughts: Helping Fussy Eaters Thrive

Fussy eating in toddlers can test your patience, but it doesn’t have to be a battle. With gentle strategies, positive mealtime experiences, and consistent exposure to nutritious foods, your child can learn to accept — and even enjoy — a variety of foods.

👉 Get our From Milk to Solids eBook for expert tips and meal ideas.
👉 Connect with a Parenting Live Expert for personalised guidance.

Remember, your child’s eating habits today don’t define their future. With support and persistence, fussy eaters grow into confident, healthy eaters.

The Parenting Genie website has comprehensive resources and tools.

The Raising Children website has some tips and insights on fussy eaters.