What to do when your child only eats beige foods
Pasta, bread, crackers, nuggets, fries: plenty of children go through a phase where almost everything they accept is plain and beige. These foods are predictable in taste and texture, which is exactly why they feel safe.
Start from what works
Instead of replacing a favourite, change one small thing about it. A different pasta shape, a new brand of cracker, or toast cut a different way all stretch flexibility a little.
Build small bridges
Move one step at a time from an accepted food toward a new one: plain pasta, then pasta with a little butter, then pasta with a tiny bit of grated cheese on the side. Keep each step small.
Put colour nearby
Add one small piece of fruit or vegetable to the table or plate without asking that it be eaten. Familiarity builds slowly from seeing it there.
Use words beyond yum and yuck
Talking about food as crunchy, soft, or sour gives children a way to describe it without rejecting it. The taste word cards are made for this.
When to ask for help
If the list of accepted foods is very short or shrinking, or you are worried about growth, it is worth a conversation with your pediatrician.
This is a family activity and general information, not medical, feeding or nutrition advice. If you have concerns about your child's eating or growth, talk to your pediatrician.
Free printables → · Browse the directory →
From the maker: Picky Table is run by the person who makes MunchGuard, a free iPhone and iPad app where parent-approved mealtime videos play while a child is chewing and pause when they stop.