Video: How do you get a picky eater to eat? By Mayo Clinic Staff Share Facebook Twitter Print details You take care to put healthy food on the table, then end up feeling like every meal is a battle. The good news? You're not alone. Watch for expert tips on how to get your picky eater to take a few more bites. Show transcript How do you get a picky eater to eat? One: Time it right. Forget packing new foods for lunch. Introduce them at dinner or after school (when they're starved). Two: Get them involved. Kids are more likely to eat veggies they've helped peel, chop or spin. Three: Be patient. Children may have to try a new food 10 to 20 times before they like it. Guidance from the experts at Mayo Clinic.Get more healthy action tips delivered daily when you download the Mayo Clinic App. Show references Yee AZH, et al. The influence of parental practices on child promotive and consumption behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2017;14:47. Savage JS, et al. Parental influence on eating behavior: Conception to adolescence. The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics. 2007;35:22. Lakkakula A, et al. Repeated taste exposure increases liking for vegetables by low-income elementary school children. Appetite. 2010;55:226. Van der Horst K, et al. Involving children in meal preparation. Effects on food intake. Appetite. 2014;79:18. VID-20412378