Quick poll for parents....?

Question

Would like as many answers as possible!

Do you believe picky eaters are born or "made". Just curious .... my friends and I got into a discussion about this and I was wondering what other people thought about the subject!

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Made.  My daughter likes almost everything from cheese, to dill pickles, to veggies and meat.  The only thing she doesn't like so far is brussel sprouts LOL.  She eats whatever I put in front of her pretty much.  I think it's because I've been feeding her finger food off my plate since she was 7 months old and has just come to accept that that's what happens.

Answer 2

born

Answer 3

born, but you can "reprogram" them

make a rule - you have to at least try two bites before you don't have to eat it (even little bites count); unless it's like when my son first had beets - he just sat there with his tongue out going "Ahhhhh!  Ahhhhh!" and looking at me like he was going to cry.  He wouldn't even close his mouth; I had to wipe the beets off his tongue with a washcloth!  Pretty sure he wasn't gonna eat those anymore! haha

I'm fortunate, though, my son will eat anything; in fact, he'll order something off of a menu just because he's never had it before (he's 17 now); two stepsons are the same (thank goodness)!

Answer 4

Made!  As proven in my own kids.  My first is very picky because I didn't know any better and I catered to his 'picky- ness'.  The rest of my 4 children are not picky.  The difference?   I didn't give them 'what they liked'.  I gave them what we were having.  Now they eat everything...I do mean everything!

Answer 5

BORN!   But environment help makes it either more or less, depends..

they can be fussy about 1 or more of the following:

- appearance

- color

- taste

- texture

Answer 6

I think that they are probably a little bit of both. Some kids are just scared to try new things. It's part of their personality. Others are made because they know that if they throw a fit their parents will give them the food that they want. Most babies have to try a new food several times before they'll keep it in their mouth. But if the parent doesn't keep trying then that child will never learn to like that food.

Answer 7

I think it's a combination of nature and nurture.

Answer 8

I think more made than anything, but i have seen some picky eaters from the get go- hard to feed, didn't like anything.  I gave my son tons of veggies and fruits when he was little as well as meat and he USED to eat everything. now at 7 he has developed this, i don't like that phase, when i know he has ate it before and liked it.  I think he's getting it from school to tell you the truth...

Answer 9

I have no idea. I think people who are picky just don't like variety. and when they are young they are just afraid to try new things.

Answer 10

I think that the parents likes or dislikes can carry over to the child.........but that they can have their own taste as well.

I have seen small children eat any kind of vegetable that you put in front of them because the parent ate them and the child was always offered them. And I have seen where a child won't touch any vegetable because the parent didn't like them and they were not offered at meal times.

Answer 11

I think a truely picky eater is made.

I think all kids are finicky about new foods and it may take several attempts before they like it or will tolerate it or they will know for sure they just dont like something.

Answer 12

Made.  If parents make a big deal about a child trying new foods, or not liking certain foods, the child will be conditioned to think that it's normal to make a big deal about food.

If parents just let the child eat what they want, and not eat what they don't want, the child will learn that food is just food and not worth a big fuss.

Answer 13

Picky eaters are not born or made, every person on this earth have a taste for certain foods.  We all don't like the same foods.  So if that is the case than we are all picky eaters.  I DON'T LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM, BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT LIKE IT, THAT DOESN'T MEAN I'M A PICKY EATER.

Answer 14

I think they are made. I'll hear parents say that their child will only eat cheese puffs for lunch or something like that. If you give in everytime and give that child cheese puffs, of course they won't want to eat anything else.

As soon as my son was off baby food and eating what we eat, I make sure he is offered many types of fruits and vegetables with his meals. I also make sure he eats what we eat. To this day, and he's 19m, he will eat his fruit or vegies before the main part of the dish. He has a very healthy appetite and eats anything we eat.

Answer 15

I think it's some of both!  But I think parents have a LOT to do with it.  We always had to eat at least a little bit of what my mom served, if only a couple bites.  That helps you to be less picky.  If you never have to try something you don't think you like, you'll end up like my cousin who wouldn't eat much besides jelly sandwiches.  She was very fat, too, so allowing your child to be picky doesn't keep them from weight problems either.

Answer 16

i think both.  my son was not a picky eater until his teeth started coming in (molars).  then he just wanted soft food no meat, however we continued to put it on his plate and he finally relented and began eating it again.  but we didnt make a big deal over it either, no pressure.  but other kids i know would never eat certain things even though shes been exposed to them consistently.  every kid is different.

Answer 17

made.

my kids eat almost everything.  if they try something that they don't like, we try again a few months later.  they're not allowed to not like something unless they've actually tasted it. and if they don't like a certain food or ingredient, i try to prepare it a different way for them to get them to eat it.  i never have to worry about going to someones house for lunch or dinner and finding something for my kids to eat.  persistence is key!

Answer 18

I think its actually a combination of the two.   Think about it this way when our bodies need a certain nutrient we get cravings for food containing that nutrient.  Couldn't we also have food aversions based on the same thing?

Answer 19

I think they are made.  My daughter eats anything put in front of her with the exception of eggs and potatoes.  My husband and I made a point of showing her how much we enjoy good food...she is one of the few kids I know who look forward to broccoli!  And she loves celery too because the WonderPets eat that!