How to Get Your Toddler to Eat New Foods

Last Updated On: August 27, 2026

What You'll Learn Today

• Picky eating is a normal developmental phase—it's not a sign you're doing something wrong.
• It's normal to serve a new food 8 to 10 times before a toddler even tries it, so keep offering without giving up.
• Keep portions small, pair new foods with favorites, and let mealtime stay fun and pressure-free.
• Coaxing, nagging, or insisting on a clean plate doesn't work, but patience does.
• Food chaining (introducing new foods through familiar ones) and a consistent schedule can make a difference.

Why Is It So Hard to Get Toddlers to Eat New Foods?

Most toddlers are naturally picky eaters. It's a normal developmental phase, and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent.

Little ones prefer the familiar. New foods come with unknown flavors, textures, and smells. While toddlers may be adventurers on the playground, they’re less of a daredevil on the plate and will gravitate toward what they already know.

Refusing food is also how they assert their independence. Mealtime is one of the few places toddlers can exercise control, meaning refusing food is sometimes not about disliking the food itself.

Understanding why your toddler is hesitant doesn't make the day-to-day easier, and you’re likely still wondering: how can I get my toddler to eat?

How Can You Get Your Toddler to Eat New Foods?

If you're searching “how to get my toddler to eat,” remember that every little one is different. The best tips include serving new foods regularly, keeping portions small, and making mealtimes fun.

Keep Serving New Foods

It can take as many as 8 to 10 exposures to a new food before a toddler is willing to try it.¹ Even if you feel like throwing in the towel, keep going. Repeated, low-pressure exposure is one of the best ways of introducing food to toddlers.

Staying patient and consistent matters more than any single mealtime.

Keep Portions Small

Too much on the plate gets overwhelming. After all, their stomach is only the size of their clenched fist.²

A small portion of something new feels far less intimidating, and it gives your toddler the chance to explore without feeling pressured to finish it.

Also, make sure to offer new foods with favorites, so your toddler always has something familiar to fall back on.

Make Food Fun

You don’t want your child to have negative associations with mealtime. Instead, make feeding a toddler fun, and don’t fuss about table manners yet. Toddlers who get to touch and play with food may be more likely to try new things.

Eat a variety of foods yourself and show enthusiasm. Your toddler looks to your reactions more than you might think, and if they see you having a good time chomping away, they’ll realize eating can be fun.

What Should You Do When Your Toddler Refuses to Eat?

Tried everything and you're still wondering how to get your toddler to eat? Here are a few ways to deal with a stubborn toddler.

Avoid Power Struggles at Mealtime

Never coax, nag, or insist on a clean plate. It doesn't work, but patience does.

Bribing or forcing bites can create negative associations with mealtime and tends to make resistance worse, not better. Instead, focus on creating a calm, positive environment, and let your toddler decide how much to eat.

Manage the Mealtime Schedule

A consistent schedule supports better eating. Stick to regular meal and snack times. Constant snacking can reduce appetite at actual mealtimes, making refusal more likely.

What Is Food Chaining and How Can It Help?

Food chaining is a method of introducing new foods by linking them to foods your toddler already likes. The goal is to use small, gradual changes in flavor, texture, or appearance rather than overwhelming them with something completely new.

For example:

• If they love plain pasta, you might try adding a little tomato sauce. If they accept that, you might add diced broccoli. Not enough that it’s a focal point, but enough that they can try it without having a meltdown.
• If they love crackers, try a cracker with a thin layer of hummus, then a slightly thicker layer, then a vegetable dip with crackers on the side.

Each small step builds a bridge from the familiar to the new, making each transition feel more manageable.

What Are Common Mistakes Parents Make When Introducing New Foods?

The most common mistakes when introducing new foods usually involve:

• Giving up too quickly. One or two refusals aren't a final verdict. Remember, it can take 8 to 10 tries before a new food is accepted.
• Offering too many alternatives. Making a separate backup meal when a toddler refuses what's served teaches them that refusal gets results.
• Making meals a battle. Coaxing, nagging, and pressure tend to backfire, creating stress around food rather than curiosity.
• Expecting immediate acceptance. New foods are rarely accepted on the first try. Treat each offering as a small step rather than a test. This can also help you meet their nutritional needs.

How Can You Create a Positive Feeding Environment?

If you’re still stuck on how to get a toddler to try new foods, one important thing is having family meals when possible. Toddlers learn a lot by watching. Seeing parents and siblings eat and enjoy a variety of foods helps normalize trying new things.

You’ll also want to encourage curiosity over compliance. Let your toddler explore new foods at their own pace, even if that means touching, smelling, or just looking at something before tasting it. Curiosity is the first step toward acceptance.

Make Mealtime a Happy Time With Enfamil Family Beginnings

Now that you know how to get a 2-year-old to eat, you’ll hopefully have a little more success at mealtime. Patience is key. But if you’d like even more support along the way, Enfamil Family Beginnings is here for you. This free program provides mealtime tips, product offers, and support at every stage of your toddler's growth.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/foods-and-drinks/picky-eaters.html↗
2. Tseng AG, Biagioli FE. Counseling on early childhood concerns: sleep issues, thumb sucking, picky eating, and school readiness. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Jul 15;80(2):139-42. PMID: 19621854.↗