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Just Two More Bites!: Helping Picky Eaters Say Yes to Food
Turn “Yuck!” into “Yum!”
How often do you find yourself begging or bribing your child to eat? Every parent experiences the frustration of picky eating, but how do you know if it’s just a passing phase—or cause for concern? Pediatric nutritionist Linda Piette has the answers that will help you solve the frustrating problem of infant, toddler, and preschooler mealtimes.
Filled with insightful and inspiring stories of many children’s struggles with food, Just Two More Bites! gives concrete help to frustrated parents with real-life answers for how to handle day-to-day food struggles. Inside, Piette will also tell
• How to make food more appealing to children
• Why your child loves a food one day and rejects it the next
• How to spot food allergies and digestion problems
• Mealtime Do’s and Don’ts
Just Two More Bites! will revolutionize mealtimes in your home and help you and your child enjoy food and develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
How often do you find yourself begging or bribing your child to eat? Every parent experiences the frustration of picky eating, but how do you know if it’s just a passing phase—or cause for concern? Pediatric nutritionist Linda Piette has the answers that will help you solve the frustrating problem of infant, toddler, and preschooler mealtimes.
Filled with insightful and inspiring stories of many children’s struggles with food, Just Two More Bites! gives concrete help to frustrated parents with real-life answers for how to handle day-to-day food struggles. Inside, Piette will also tell
• How to make food more appealing to children
• Why your child loves a food one day and rejects it the next
• How to spot food allergies and digestion problems
• Mealtime Do’s and Don’ts
Just Two More Bites! will revolutionize mealtimes in your home and help you and your child enjoy food and develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits.
- GenresParenting
294 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 20, 2010
Very informative, very helpful for any new or "old" parent, with tips about nutrition values, needs, physical development of babies/children and the related eating habits & manners, as well as ways to deal with and trick your picky eaters.
The information is addressed in a very simple and direct way, organized in points and charts which makes it so easy to use as a reference.
It also has a few nice and easy to make recipes that should get picky eaters to try and enjoy healthy foods and new tastes.
Highly recommended.
The information is addressed in a very simple and direct way, organized in points and charts which makes it so easy to use as a reference.
It also has a few nice and easy to make recipes that should get picky eaters to try and enjoy healthy foods and new tastes.
Highly recommended.
July 22, 2014
Better for kids with severe allergies or other handicaps as well as younger kids. Good at pointing to resources. Not fantastic for just plain picky toddlers, but there were a few action items in Chapter 5.
November 10, 2008
This book was good, but it covers a wide variety of ages and eating problems. It talks about babies who are having a hard time learning to eat solids, all the way to preschoolers who are just being defiant.
I skimmed lots of parts, but did find several useful and interesting chapters. I'll share what I learned about my almost 2 year old boy, for the benefit of others who might share my problem (he doesn't care much about eating, and he'd prefer to just drink every calorie if allowed the option).
Problem: Kids learn how to do everything (including eating) by watching their parents and the people around them. A lot of the time, I'm eating something low calorie and healthy, and giving Benjamin something higher calorie and not as healthy, but that I think he might eat (french fries, pizza, etc...) Or, I'd eat something while he was napping, and put him down in front of the table for mealtime by himself while I cleaned the kitchen. (Or give him a Carnation Instant Breakfast while we head for a walk in the stroller.)
I realized that Benjamin might be looking at me as his eating example and thinking, "Mom never eats. She's really cool. I won't eat either." Or, maybe he was seeing food but not really understanding to eat it or not, because no one else was sitting at the table eating with him.
Solution: I am making sure we eat the same thing at mealtimes, and that we sit together the whole time. Even if this means I have to eat a pancake with him and eat my oatmeal later. It's kind of worked. He actually ate a pancake! Also, he put a bite of casserole in his mouth the other night. He then chewed it up, spit it back in his hand, and gave it back to me, but he TRIED it. (Oh, also - I've been trying to have him watch me making the food, and talking a lot about how fun it is to make food and eat it, and how yummy it will all be when it's done.)
Problem: Kids take longer to eat than grown ups, especially if you are a little boy totally unmotivated by food and more into playing. My husband and I always eat fast then start clearing the table and cleaning the kitchen while he's still sitting there. Then he gets up and runs to play too. And, he's finished anything on his plate that he likes, and no time is left for him to get brave enough to try anything new.
Solution: Eat really, really slow. And sit there next to him when you finish, pretending like you're still eating (but keep meals to 30 minutes max). I found that if I stayed long enough and Benjamin was still hungry, he'd start to pick at some of the food he would normally not touch.
Problem: Throwing food or being wild.
Solution: Say "Bye bye food!" and toss the food away immediately. They learn quick. Benjamin was throwing a fit over apple juice at dinner. I don't even remember exactly what happened, but he got mad and shoved his cup of apple juice at me. I said, "Okay. Bye bye, apple juice" and put it away in the fridge immediately. Oh, the horror and panic that crossed his face! He'd wanted that juice, but was upset and cranky. He practically threw himself from his high chair and into my arms, looking like he had been shot, crying hysterically. I said, "Oh, you wanted that juice still? I thought you didn't want it because you shoved it. If I bring it back, will you sit nicely and eat your food like a big boy?" He shook his head yes. I brought the juice back, and he sat like an angel the rest of dinner. He also kept kissing me.
Ummm, what else? I didn't really keep notes while I read this book. I'm just thinking here.
Problem: Food is often rejected for social reasons more than anything else. People around the kid won't eat the food, so he won't either. His mom says "Here, eat your spinach", but sees he turn her nose up to it and he's likely to say no himself. That's why it's important to eat the same food as your kid and show him you're enjoying it. Or fake smile while you gag it down. Or put it on your plate and pretend you're eating it. I don't know. Just don't let them know you don't like it, or they will probably decide they don't like either.
Other social pressures affect eating as well. You shouldn't make a huge deal about the kid eating the food or not. Just put it on their plate and say "Here's some yummy beans. Oh, you don't want any? Okay, you don't have to. But they are delicious if you decide to try them." Then whether they eat it or not, don't make a big deal. Kind of ignore them.
I attest this is true. I didn't like vegetables as a little kid. I know I outgrew this, because I started eating them at other people's houses and at school before I left elementary school. (Not that I can claim to love veggies today, but I don't hate them like I did back then.) My mom made a huge deal about my eating habits. She would say, "Well, Abby won't eat this, so we have to make something different for her." She would talk to the neighbors and my doctor about my eating in front of me. (Oh yeah, the book says to never discuss the kid's eating problems in front of them. I agree.)
So, I never ate vegetables at home. It would have been just way too freakin' big a deal. She would have made it the topic of every conversation for the next year. Or her entire life. Even now, when she comes to dinner I think, "Mom is going to be shocked that we have vegetables with dinner, even though I've been eating them for years and years and years and years and years." While she claimed I wouldn't eat anything green, I bought a salad for lunch at school every day for years. I craved good food, I think. I just didn't dare eat it in front of her.
To reiterate again, don't make it a big deal what your kid eats or doesn't eat. Just keep offering them good food (put a little of something you know they like on their plate so they'll start eating, stay sitting at the table with them for awhile, let them see you eating the good food, and most of the time they'll eventually try the new stuff and realize they like it). (And, it's going to be a lot easier to do it when they're younger, I bet.)
Problem: Your kid really likes to drink stuff, like Carnation Instant Breakfast.
Solution: Blend bananas and other fruit, plus peanut butter, plus frozen yogurt, plus other good stuff, in with the Carnation Instant Breakfast.
I think that's a good random summary of ideas I got from the book. Like I said, it covers lots of other topics and problems, so there's a good chance you'll find at least an introduction to what you need help with if you read this.
I skimmed lots of parts, but did find several useful and interesting chapters. I'll share what I learned about my almost 2 year old boy, for the benefit of others who might share my problem (he doesn't care much about eating, and he'd prefer to just drink every calorie if allowed the option).
Problem: Kids learn how to do everything (including eating) by watching their parents and the people around them. A lot of the time, I'm eating something low calorie and healthy, and giving Benjamin something higher calorie and not as healthy, but that I think he might eat (french fries, pizza, etc...) Or, I'd eat something while he was napping, and put him down in front of the table for mealtime by himself while I cleaned the kitchen. (Or give him a Carnation Instant Breakfast while we head for a walk in the stroller.)
I realized that Benjamin might be looking at me as his eating example and thinking, "Mom never eats. She's really cool. I won't eat either." Or, maybe he was seeing food but not really understanding to eat it or not, because no one else was sitting at the table eating with him.
Solution: I am making sure we eat the same thing at mealtimes, and that we sit together the whole time. Even if this means I have to eat a pancake with him and eat my oatmeal later. It's kind of worked. He actually ate a pancake! Also, he put a bite of casserole in his mouth the other night. He then chewed it up, spit it back in his hand, and gave it back to me, but he TRIED it. (Oh, also - I've been trying to have him watch me making the food, and talking a lot about how fun it is to make food and eat it, and how yummy it will all be when it's done.)
Problem: Kids take longer to eat than grown ups, especially if you are a little boy totally unmotivated by food and more into playing. My husband and I always eat fast then start clearing the table and cleaning the kitchen while he's still sitting there. Then he gets up and runs to play too. And, he's finished anything on his plate that he likes, and no time is left for him to get brave enough to try anything new.
Solution: Eat really, really slow. And sit there next to him when you finish, pretending like you're still eating (but keep meals to 30 minutes max). I found that if I stayed long enough and Benjamin was still hungry, he'd start to pick at some of the food he would normally not touch.
Problem: Throwing food or being wild.
Solution: Say "Bye bye food!" and toss the food away immediately. They learn quick. Benjamin was throwing a fit over apple juice at dinner. I don't even remember exactly what happened, but he got mad and shoved his cup of apple juice at me. I said, "Okay. Bye bye, apple juice" and put it away in the fridge immediately. Oh, the horror and panic that crossed his face! He'd wanted that juice, but was upset and cranky. He practically threw himself from his high chair and into my arms, looking like he had been shot, crying hysterically. I said, "Oh, you wanted that juice still? I thought you didn't want it because you shoved it. If I bring it back, will you sit nicely and eat your food like a big boy?" He shook his head yes. I brought the juice back, and he sat like an angel the rest of dinner. He also kept kissing me.
Ummm, what else? I didn't really keep notes while I read this book. I'm just thinking here.
Problem: Food is often rejected for social reasons more than anything else. People around the kid won't eat the food, so he won't either. His mom says "Here, eat your spinach", but sees he turn her nose up to it and he's likely to say no himself. That's why it's important to eat the same food as your kid and show him you're enjoying it. Or fake smile while you gag it down. Or put it on your plate and pretend you're eating it. I don't know. Just don't let them know you don't like it, or they will probably decide they don't like either.
Other social pressures affect eating as well. You shouldn't make a huge deal about the kid eating the food or not. Just put it on their plate and say "Here's some yummy beans. Oh, you don't want any? Okay, you don't have to. But they are delicious if you decide to try them." Then whether they eat it or not, don't make a big deal. Kind of ignore them.
I attest this is true. I didn't like vegetables as a little kid. I know I outgrew this, because I started eating them at other people's houses and at school before I left elementary school. (Not that I can claim to love veggies today, but I don't hate them like I did back then.) My mom made a huge deal about my eating habits. She would say, "Well, Abby won't eat this, so we have to make something different for her." She would talk to the neighbors and my doctor about my eating in front of me. (Oh yeah, the book says to never discuss the kid's eating problems in front of them. I agree.)
So, I never ate vegetables at home. It would have been just way too freakin' big a deal. She would have made it the topic of every conversation for the next year. Or her entire life. Even now, when she comes to dinner I think, "Mom is going to be shocked that we have vegetables with dinner, even though I've been eating them for years and years and years and years and years." While she claimed I wouldn't eat anything green, I bought a salad for lunch at school every day for years. I craved good food, I think. I just didn't dare eat it in front of her.
To reiterate again, don't make it a big deal what your kid eats or doesn't eat. Just keep offering them good food (put a little of something you know they like on their plate so they'll start eating, stay sitting at the table with them for awhile, let them see you eating the good food, and most of the time they'll eventually try the new stuff and realize they like it). (And, it's going to be a lot easier to do it when they're younger, I bet.)
Problem: Your kid really likes to drink stuff, like Carnation Instant Breakfast.
Solution: Blend bananas and other fruit, plus peanut butter, plus frozen yogurt, plus other good stuff, in with the Carnation Instant Breakfast.
I think that's a good random summary of ideas I got from the book. Like I said, it covers lots of other topics and problems, so there's a good chance you'll find at least an introduction to what you need help with if you read this.
June 7, 2023
Some really good tips that (hopefully) will keep me from nagging my kids about food. Also, there's a good section on nutrition and how much of what kids should be getting.
February 19, 2024
Some great advice for increasing options, decreasing battles, and allergies r/t eating and digestion issues
April 14, 2009
Like many mothers of preschoolers, I have a picky kid. My three-year-old daughter will devour asparagus, broccoli and artichoke hearts with vigor. My five-year-old son, on the other hand, won't eat condensed Campbell's chicken noodle soup -- even with the fun shapes! -- because it has miniscule chunks of carrot in it. It can make dinnertime a bit challenging.
I've been trying to find ways to work around his picky palate and get him to try new foods, and thought Just Two More Bites might be the solution. While the book had some good ideas, most of it was really common-sense advice ("Let him choose his own foods!") and repetition of ideas we've already exhausted at this point. There were a few recipes to help sneak vitamin-rich veggies in on kids, but not as many as I'd hoped. And I have to note -- there is no way in hell I'd get my son to eat "green balls" of baked spinach, cheese and bread crumbs. Seriously? My kid with the adventurous palate might even turn up her nose at those.
Overall, I think most of the advice is geared toward parents of young picky eaters -- the recommendations and hints seemed most appropriate for older babies just experimenting with textures and new foods, up to two-year-olds in their defiant stage. I don't think other parents with older kids would find much new information or helpful advice here.
I've been trying to find ways to work around his picky palate and get him to try new foods, and thought Just Two More Bites might be the solution. While the book had some good ideas, most of it was really common-sense advice ("Let him choose his own foods!") and repetition of ideas we've already exhausted at this point. There were a few recipes to help sneak vitamin-rich veggies in on kids, but not as many as I'd hoped. And I have to note -- there is no way in hell I'd get my son to eat "green balls" of baked spinach, cheese and bread crumbs. Seriously? My kid with the adventurous palate might even turn up her nose at those.
Overall, I think most of the advice is geared toward parents of young picky eaters -- the recommendations and hints seemed most appropriate for older babies just experimenting with textures and new foods, up to two-year-olds in their defiant stage. I don't think other parents with older kids would find much new information or helpful advice here.
April 13, 2009
This was pretty interesting, but with all the parenting newsletters and websites that I read, I think I'd heard it all before. Also there was a big focus on kids with sensory disorders or developmental delays, which doesn't apply to us.
I did find 2 chapters noteworthy. There was a chapter that addressed nutrition and spelled out what is needed and what foods provide it. Also gave quantities appropriate for age groups.
The other chapter I liked was about 'behavior'. It included ideas like limit dinner time to 30min; throwing food = meal is over; offer a healthy meal with variety all at once and that's it.
I did find 2 chapters noteworthy. There was a chapter that addressed nutrition and spelled out what is needed and what foods provide it. Also gave quantities appropriate for age groups.
The other chapter I liked was about 'behavior'. It included ideas like limit dinner time to 30min; throwing food = meal is over; offer a healthy meal with variety all at once and that's it.
August 15, 2008
This was a pretty good book. I didn't read every chapter, because some of them didn't apply to our family, like the one about feeding special-needs children. It had a lot of good tips, and while I found a few things that I have been doing "wrong" like showing my exasperation when my son won't eat, there were some things that we are doing "right" like not allowing Will to have all-day access to cup after cup of milk or juice. I was pretty happy to see that picky eaters at this age is a common, usually unavoidable problem!
October 2, 2011
Well, picked this one up at the library for the obvious reason that I am now the mother of an extremely picky eater. Jack used to eat great until just after he turned two. Now each meal is a struggle. This book gave great information on how to determine underlying causes of pickiness in kids - one or two defintely applied to Jack, so we'll work on those. I was hoping for a few more practical tips, but there is lots of good information and some good recipe ideas (though, not sure how I feel about a pinto bean smoothie....ick!).
December 24, 2013
I was hoping this book would give me insight into how to turn my picky eater into a more adventuresome one. Instead, it's a self-help book for children with serious developmental disabilities and physical problems.
Go see a food therapist is the basic message of the book. To be fair, the one child I did take to a food therapist is my most adventuresome eater, but we're still struggling with some issues from her time in the orphanage, so this book didn't solve the original problem.
Go see a food therapist is the basic message of the book. To be fair, the one child I did take to a food therapist is my most adventuresome eater, but we're still struggling with some issues from her time in the orphanage, so this book didn't solve the original problem.
April 15, 2012
While this can be a helpful book for some, it really did not address our situation in the way I had hoped. Ella's extreme food issues is one of those things that makes me feel like a horrible parent. She has huge and long-standing nutritional gaps but I don't know how to get her to try new foods. I also can't seem to wait her out and let hunger help. She can and will go all day without eating anything. She has the same issue at school. I just don't know what to do.
February 8, 2008
Thanks to this book, my 2-year-old has moved up from "world's pickiest eater" to "average eater." (hooray!) Several similar books focused on children with special needs; my child is otherwise healthy, so this was the book for me. Covers everything from learning eating technique to mealtime tricks. Also lists the nutrients kids need at what ages and foods that fulfill those needs.
April 16, 2009
Skimmed over this for my Picky Eaters class at the library. It's aimed more for parents than for adult picky eaters but has many good ideas on incorporating new foods into meals and for dealing with resistance. If I remember, there were some good, simple recipes but if you know me at all, you understand why I skimmed that section. :-)
October 26, 2009
This was more for parents of toddlers, so it didn't really fit my needs. There were some good receipe ideas at the end though.
June 21, 2010
Not a bad book, just wasn't helpful in my situation with multiple food allergies and texture adversions. Only a few pages on food allergies, nothing new or different.
November 5, 2010
I only read half of this before it was due back at the library, but it did help. I learned some things that I was doing that were contributing to the feeding troubles.
August 26, 2015
I found this book to be helpful, there were some great tips and explanations for why little ones can be picky eaters.
July 30, 2016
Have had this for a couple of years. Good professional resource.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews