Do you encourage your children to try different foods?

My four year old son is a fan of spicy tuna rolls (sushi), so that's pretty cool! I try to avoid fast food with them and try different foods as much as I can.

No kids. But I would try my hardest not to have picky, spoiled babies.

No kids, but as a trained chef I feel people should give food a chance in a few ways. You may have tried brussel sprouts when someone boiled them and hate them, but you may like them if someone oven roasted them.

Other, I have no lil ones, only my PreciousMaster does...

I encourage them to try different foods.

I don't have kids so I put other but I someday I plan on having kids and when I do I want them to try everything (provided that its good for them and won't hurt them) at least once. I think it's important for kids to have open minds about trying new things, whether it be food or new activities...

Of course! Lots of veggies!

No kids here. But I know my mother tried to do it. But I had none of it. I'm getting better now.

I try, but my toddler isn't interested. My 1year old will eat anything, but he's allergic to nuts so we have to be careful.

Other because I don't have kids, but if I did, I would DEFINITELY encourage them to be adventurous eaters!

I love to try new foods!!!

My Man and I have always offered new and interesting foods to our children. I used to think that the reason some kids only ate "kid" junk food was only because they were only offered this type of food. Although I think this is often the reason a lot of kids eat only hot dogs and chicken nuggets, I had my ass kicked on my theory when our youngest became a very picky eater. It was around the time she weaned, she started gagging at the sight or smell of strongly flavored foods, going to restaurants became nearly impossible and she was eventually diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. She also has Tourette Syndrome and Aspergers Syndrome, so this is completely neurological.

Some kids are "Super Tasters" and anything strongly flavored or smelling will cause gagging and food refusal. When you see a kid eating nothing but chicken nuggets, pizza and hot dogs, don't be judgmental and automatically think their parents are not doing their job. The child could have a serious, impossible to treat neurological disorder that is causing their food needs.

Our older two kids are very adventurous eaters, the youngest has a limited diet. Even therapy hadn't helped. It sucks, but, what bothers me the most is when people think I only "allowed" her to have crappy foods. People are SO fucking judgmental when it comes to other people's kids, (everything is "the parent's fault") especially when they themselves have no children and are clueless about child rearing (NO, nieces and nephews over for the weekend do NOT count as "knowing how to take care of kids") or only have a little baby and have yet to have their ass kicked by child rearing IRL!

I agree that introducing children to interesting and new foods is always a good idea. But, if you get a kid with Sensory Processing Disorder who is a Super Taster, all that work will be for naught.

If I had kids I would encourage them to be adventurous.

We are only just adventuring into foods and textures, tastes, etc. My little one is almost 13 months and for now, a fantastic eater. She does have some taste/texture issues, but not many, she's not very picky. I try to have her try just about anything I can, even if I don't like it. It's not my choice what she eats and if she grows to love something I can't stand, I'll make myself learn to like it, for her sake! I know there may come a day where she wants grilled cheese for every meal, but for now I'm having fun letting her try new things and seeing all the things she likes - she loves lemons and dill pickles!

That said, I don't push foods. I have a long, long, history, education and career working with kids, so feeding issues in typical and exceptional kids are not new to me. I feel it's important to allow kids to have a say and have control over their own bodies, feelings, etc. It's also important to not force them to override their body's signal of when they're full. It can lead to over-eating when they're older, as they lose the ability to recognize they're full and satisfied. If they sit at the table and say they don't want any of anything, that's fine. They won't starve, I know that...I don't push it.

I have the rule that everyone in my house has to try everything once