How to Get Your Kids to Try New Foods (Without Bribing Them with Dessert!)
Getting kids to try new foods can be tricky, but with the right approach, it’s totally doable! Our Lunchinho chef shares fun, easy tips to introduce new flavors without the mealtime battles. From small portions to the magic of dipping, learn how to make healthy eating exciting—because consistency and fun are key!
As a chef specializing in food for kids, I know one thing for sure—kids are the toughest food critics on the planet. Forget Michelin stars; if a toddler gives your meal a side-eye and says, “Ew,” you know you’ve got work to do.
At Lunchinho, we’ve mastered the art of making healthy food fun, delicious, and kid-approved. Whether you’re packing lunchboxes in Ottawa or looking for a school program that offers variety, here are some foolproof (and tantrum-proof) ways to introduce new foods to your little foodies!
1. Tiny Portions, Big Wins
Think of new foods like guests at a party—introduce them slowly. A single broccoli floret on the plate won’t feel as intimidating as a whole green mountain. That’s why our Lunchinho meals sneak in new flavors next to familiar favorites, so kids can ease into the adventure!
2. Make It Fun (Because Let’s Be Honest, Kids Love Fun!)
If your kid will eat anything shaped like a dinosaur, take advantage of that! Use cookie cutters, make silly food faces, or add a fun dip—because let’s be real, dipping is half the fun. Our meals are designed to be colorful and engaging because a happy plate makes for a happy eater.
3. Let the Tiny Humans Help
Kids love to have control. Give them a say in their meals—whether it’s letting them choose between apple slices or grapes or having them help pack their Lunchinho lunchbox. When they “own” their meal, they’re way more likely to eat it!
4. Patience, Grasshopper
Some kids will dive right into a new food; others will inspect it like a suspicious detective. That’s okay! It can take 10 to 15 tries before a child warms up to a new taste. Keep offering it, stay cool, and don’t turn it into a battle. At Lunchinho, we serve a variety of flavors in our school program meals to help kids gradually expand their tastes—without pressure.
5. Dips: The Secret Sauce (Literally)
Kids love dipping. Give them hummus, yogurt, or a mild dressing, and suddenly veggies become way more exciting. Lunchinho meals include fun, kid-friendly flavors that make every bite an adventure.
6. Monkey See, Monkey Eat
If you’re chowing down on your salad like it’s the best thing ever, your kid might just get curious. Show them that healthy food is delicious! Our Lunchinho meals are designed for the whole family to enjoy, so parents can set the example.
7. Consistency is King (or Queen!)
New foods don’t win over kids in one night—it’s a long game. Keep offering new flavors in different ways, and eventually, they’ll take a bite (and maybe even ask for more!). With Lunchinho, we rotate flavors and ingredients, so kids get exposed to variety while still feeling comfortable with their meals.
At the end of the day, getting kids to try new foods is all about fun, patience, and a little bit of strategy. That’s exactly what we do at Lunchinho—bringing delicious, healthy, and kid-friendly meals to Ottawa’s lunchboxes and school programs. So sit back, relax, and let us do the cooking. (No food fights necessary!)
Want to give it a try? Your kid’s next favorite meal might just be one Lunchinho box away! 🍎🥕🎉