Aoife Hearne: My child loved his vegetables but now refuses to eat them

What one was a normal part of their diet is now a source of discomfort, what can I do?

Aoife Hearne: Eating habits are heavily influenced by environment. Picture: iStock

My child loved eating his vegetables until he started going to playschool. I think he picked up cues from some of the fussy eaters there. I still serve him vegetables, but he just pushes them around his plate. I’m trying to be patient. What would you suggest?

One of the most challenging experiences of feeding families is when the taste preferences of our younger members change. What once was a favourite food is now banished to the bin. It is extremely frustrating and completely normal.

Eating habits are heavily influenced by our environment. It sounds like you have done a great job offering your son vegetables at a young age, and the fact that he has previously accepted and liked them will stand him in good stead in the future.

His current environment in playschool has likely influenced some of these taste changes, but it is also very possible that they would have changed anyway. All you can do right now is to hang in there as your son transitions through what is known as the neophobic stage, where children refuse new foods and previously liked foods.

Your son will return to these foods if you take the right approach, but you will likely need a generous dose of patience along the way.

The most important strategy at this stage is to continue serving vegetables without pressuring him to eat them. Offering them alongside foods he likes can also really help.

Research demonstrates that it can take 15-30 tries of new or previously liked foods to accept them and eventually like them. The aim is to keep these foods visible and familiar in both sight and taste.

The fact that your son still allows vegetables to stay on his plate is a win, and maintaining this will help him transition back to eating them on his own terms.

Raw vegetables can be a great way to keep veg on the dinner plate. Whether they are helping to chop them, creating a rainbow with them or turning them into a game, involving children can take the pressure off eating and make mealtimes more fun.

‘Who can crunch the loudest’ is still a big hit with my eight-, 10- and 11-year-olds. I can’t tell you how many times I have leaned on this game when mine were pushing back against eating vegetables.

Remember, the only rule is to keep vegetables familiar, so even if he doesn’t actually eat a whole lot of them right now, don’t worry too much.

Including tomato-based sauces and fruits will still ensure he gets the nutrients he needs during this time, which is often short-lived.

Just one word of caution, if his aversion to vegetables persists beyond five years of age and foods accepted get more restricted, it would be a good idea to discuss concerns with your GP and get advice from a CORU-registered dietitian.

• If you have a question for dietitian Aoife Hearne, please send it to [e-mail] or use the form bellow