Dining out with your family at a local restaurant is an excellent way to try new cuisine and enjoy the company of your loved ones. Unfortunately, many young children are particular about the foods they’ll eat, which can make a trip to a family restaurant a bit challenging. Here are a few ways you can handle your picky eater.

4 Tips for Handling Fussy Eaters

1. Make Veggies Popular

One food group that kids tend to shy away from is vegetables. In some cases, they’ll reject them without taking a bite. Make veggies more enticing by talking about them excitedly and make them a focus of the meal. For instance, order peas, broccoli, or carrots before the main dish. Children are more likely to try something that’s appealing to others.

2. Suggest Dips or Condiments

While whole food groups may be unappetizing to your picky eater, they may be open to tasty dips. Before ordering a meal for your child, take a look at the menu. Check what types of sauces or condiments the restaurant has to offer, and suggest one to go with their meal. For example, suggest barbecue sauce for their chicken nuggets or ketchup for their grilled cheese.

3. Only Order One New Food

It can be overwhelming for a child to have a plate full of new foods in front of them. Instead of ordering a wholly unfamiliar dish for them, consider pairing something they love with one new food. For instance, if they enjoy chicken nuggets, pair them with a side dish they never tried, such as coleslaw. 

4. Keep Trying

You’ll need plenty of patience to get your fussy eater to try new foods. Just because they rejected something once, it doesn’t mean they’ll never give it a try again. By offering them the same foods multiple times, you may find out that they open to them if they are prepared or presented a certain way, such as baked instead of fried.

If you’re looking for a new restaurant to try this summer with your family, head to Beffa’s. This family-owned establishment had been a staple in St. Louis, MO, for 113 years before closing in 2011. This eatery, however, is reopening in July 2020, and its staff is still dedicated to creating delicious meals that even the pickiest eater will enjoy. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick lunch or want to unwind with family and friends while listening to live music, Beffa’s is the place to be. Learn more about their menu online today.