The ‘20 Times’ rule

When I ask parents to give a new healthy food to their children, the first answer I usually get is: ‘but he doesn’t like it’ or ‘he won’t eat it’.

What I find interesting is that many parents will make assumptions about what their child will and will not like often before they even try it.

You might have tried giving your child that ‘x’ health item a few months ago and he didn’t eat it, but have you tried again since? Could his taste buds have evolved since? Could you explain more about the item this time? Can you find out why he didn’t like it?

Believe it or not, research has shown that a child needs to see a new food 20 times before they agree to try it, let alone like it.

Most parents give up after the second try.

If, as an adult, I present you with a new health food that you’ve never seen or tried before, you’d also be hesitant to try it (maybe some more than others), and will certainly not develop a habit for eating it just after seeing it twice.

So when it comes to getting your kids to eat and like healthy food, you must give them time. 

Keep putting it on the table, ask them if they want to try it (don’t force), you eat it and talk about how delicious it is, explain its benefits to them (catered to their age and understanding).
And then, just keep at it until it becomes part of what your child sees in his daily or weekly food routine. That’s when healthy eating becomes a habit.

Do you want to know more about how to make healthy food part of your child’s eating routine? Are you suffering with fussy children who won’t eat or who refuse to eat healthy? I have tried-and-tested easy solutions for you.

Join me in my upcoming HEALTHY PARENTING CRASH COURSE for all the answers – and some solutions for yourself and the whole family as well.

*To join Alia’s Healthy Parenting Crash Course on March 2, email alia@aliaalmoayed.com or call Atik on 33252854. But you must hurry as slots are limited. For more info: https://aliaalmoayed.wordpress.com/events/