If you’re a parent of a picky eater, dining out may pose a challenge, especially when your child doesn’t care for anything on the menu. While children tend to choose food that is familiar to them, exposing them to Thai food can help them expand their palate while exploring new, flavorful cuisine. To ensure your child will enjoy the Thai dining experience, below are some suggestions to make it easier and more convenient to dine out with a picky eater.

Tips for Dining Out with a Picky Eater

1. Check the Menu in Advance

Most restaurants post their menu online, so it's easy to let your child peruse the restaurant's offering to see what's available. If the menu includes photos, they can see what the dishes look like. Even if your child does not immediately find something appealing, it gives them a chance to acclimate to unfamiliar Thai food.

2. Take Baby Steps

Start by ordering something safe and familiar, such as noodles. If your child tastes food they’re familiar with, it may be easier to convince them to attempt something a bit different, such as Thai food. 

3. Model Good Behavior

Model the behavior you want by ordering something you've never tried. Be optimistic, stay positive, and be sure to taste the dish when it arrives. However, if you do not like it, explain to your child that you don't have to finish it. By lowering the risk factor, it may help them become brave enough to try something new, themselves.

4. Never Force a Child to Eat Something

The more forcefully you insist that your picky eater consume something, the more willfully they'll refuse to do so. Don't try to force it; let it happen naturally, or it won't happen at all. Be encouraging, but don't insist.

For a delicious change of pace that even your picky eater will enjoy, stop by Thailand Cuisine 2, an authentic Thai restaurant with locations in Kahului and Kihei, HI. They offer a huge selection of Thai food dishes, including vegetarian fare, so there's something for everyone. Visit their website to check out their menu or call (808) 873-0225 to ask about ingredients if you have food allergies.