5. Put disliked foods on the table first. Many children play before dinnertime and generate a healthy hunger during this time. If you’re serving a food, such as a vegetable side dish, that your child doesn’t like, consider putting it on the table before anything else. Her hunger may get the better of her aversion.
• Tell your child you’re getting the main dish ready and it’s going to be a few minutes. Point out that there is something already on the table and that she can start with that.
• Remember to not force your child to eat food, which is often ineffective and counterproductive. If she’s hungry enough, she’ll likely eat it.