Mordechai Housman wrote:

> I try to introduce new foods to my kids every so often, but the two
> younger ones (ages 8 and 6), almost always refuse to even try them. The
> oldest (almost 10), will cautiously try some things, and usually likes
> them.
>
> So it's not always the parents' fault entirely. Some kids really ARE
> afraid to try new things.

We have the teaspoon rule in my house. You have to try at least 1
teaspoon-full of any food served at dinner. If you don't like it,
fine, just finish your portion and you're done. Kids won't starve
themselves, and if they don't eat at one meal, they'll make up for it
at the next.

After trying something 3 or 4 times (yes, each time the food is served,
the teaspoon rule applies), they usually find it's not so bad, and go
back for more. IT does help that this has been the rule since she was
4, but we've impressed on her that if she's eating at someone else's
house, she needs to at least try what they serve.

We did have visitors once who only at white foods (my husband noticed
this). Milk, bread, potatoes, chicken breast. I didn't know what to
make of them, since I like to cook with a lot of color (sweet potatoes,
multi-color veggies, etc.) Mom and daughter both. I felt sorry for
them.

maxine in ri