parentmag
ToddlerLittle kidsFood

Fussy eating and the 15-tries rule, explained

Why the broccoli keeps coming back, and why you should let it sit there.

AH
Dr Amira HassanPaediatric dietitian

19 October 20261 min read✓ Written by a registered dietitian

On this page 2 sections
  1. Take the pressure off
  2. When to get help

In short

  • It can take 8 to 15 tries before a child accepts a new food.
  • A food on the plate counts, even if it isn’t eaten.
  • Pressure, praise and bribes tend to backfire.

Children often need many exposures to a new food before they accept it. Studies put the number anywhere from eight to fifteen. An exposure counts even if the food just sits on the plate.

Take the pressure off

Serve a small amount next to something they already like. Say nothing about it. Eat it yourself. Pressure, praise and bribes all tend to make the standoff longer.

An exposure counts even if the food just sits on the plate.

When to get help

Talk to your GP or health visitor if your child eats very few foods, is losing weight, or gags and panics around new food.

Was this useful?

AH
Dr Amira Hassan

Amira is a registered paediatric dietitian who helps families with fussy eating, allergies and everything food.

Toddler · Little kids · Big kidsActivities

Half-term, planned on one sheet of paper

Five days, one loose plan, almost no spending. Stick it on the fridge and stop deciding things at 7am.

Hana Osei · 1 min read
Baby · ToddlerSleep

The clocks went back. Here’s how to fix bedtime in a week

A 15-minute shuffle each night beats a week of 5am wake-ups.

Priya Natarajan · 1 min read
Toddler · Little kidsKit

Puddle season: the waterproofs we’d buy again

Six weeks, four families, one very wet park. Our honest verdicts.

Hana Osei · 1 min read