Kids are often picky about foods. They may go through periods of eating only specific meals and frequently change their minds about their favorite items. When you dine at a restaurant, this can make it challenging to introduce your children to new dishes. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to encourage them to try unfamiliar appetizers, entrees, and sides. Here's how to help your young ones get more comfortable with new foods.

4 Tips for Getting Kids to Eat New Foods

1. Use Language

Talking about new foods with your child may pique their interest in trying unfamiliar dishes. You can use evocative adjectives to describe the flavors, temperatures, and textures of items, which might whet your young one's appetite. 

You may also discuss the colors, shapes, and aromas of different appetizers, sides, and entrees. This can make new foods seem less intimidating to kids and turn eating them into a fun game.

2. Provide Smaller Bites 

New dishes may easily overwhelm children, and large portions might make trying these items seem even more formidable. You can help kids relax at the dinner table and get acclimated to new flavors and textures by providing them with small bites and manageable portions. 

Restaurants often offer children's menus that include finger foods such as bite-sized corn dogs, battered shrimp, and chicken strips, which are small and easy for kids to grab and eat on their own. Additionally, you can prevent your young ones from feeling overwhelmed by introducing them to no more than two or three new foods during a single meal. 

3. Let Them Make Decisions

Children who feel pressured to try new foods may be less inclined to eat them. When kids feel in control during meals, this can help them build the confidence to sample unfamiliar items on their plate. 

You can encourage this by allowing your child to decide which new foods they want to try and how much of each dish they consume. This may make your young ones feel more empowered during mealtimes, which can encourage them to expand their culinary horizons. 

4. Play on Their Favorites

You can make the introduction to new foods smoother by encouraging your children to try items that are similar to those they already enjoy. For instance, if your young ones have no problem with eating battered chicken, you might introduce them to battered shrimp or fish the next time you go out for seafood. Similarly, if your kids enjoy rice and pasta, this can make it easier to get them to sample other dishes that include these ingredients, such as jambalaya or lobster ravioli.  

When you want your young ones to try new and delicious foods, dine at Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill. This restaurant offers seafood with a Cajun flare to hungry patrons throughout Creve Coeur, MO. They also have locations in St. Peters and Edwardsville, IL. Call (314) 878-3306 to place an order for takeout, or visit the website to browse their menu of southern cuisine.