I think this area is complicated, as "picky" means different things to different people. Is the child picky because he won't eat what the family... see more

I think this area is complicated, as "picky" means different things to different people. Is the child picky because he won't eat what the family is eating? Picky because he has a limited palate of favorite foods? Picky because he won't eat vegetables?

Each situation requires a slightly different approach. In general, though, the most effective strategy is to eat family meals together, not pressure kids to eat, model good eating habits, offer a variety of foods, and always have at least 1 or 2 foods on the table that kids like.

Food should not be a punishment or a reward. When I say always have 2 foods on the table you know kids will like, those foods can be raw carrots and bread. If the children fill up on those foods, so be it. It won't kill them. Some children take longer to develop a broad palate. Remember, you are teaching kids lifelong eating habits -- habits that will stay with them for the next 60, 70, 80 or 90 years. If they don't eat broccoli the first 4 or 5 or even 10 years. Is it such a big deal?

One bite rules make food a battle - imagine if you were told you had to eat fried grasshoppers - just one bite - and that they were good for you. Not exactly going to make you a lifelong lover of grasshoppers. Though one-bite rules can seem to work in the short run, they only make food a battlefield and create "good foods" and "bad foods" in kids' minds.

Likewise, desserts should never be taken away or used as a reward. If you serve to dessert, serve everyone. If you don't serve dessert, don't use it as a bribe for eating other foods.