Positive encouragement can help picky eaters

If you have picky eaters in your family, you might try positive encouragement to try to improve their habits. Researchers at Duke University surveyed over 19,000 self-proclaimed picky eaters, asking them about personal experiences with food aversions and how their family members or partners handled their food pickiness. The researchers then used artificial intelligence to better understand how those experiences emotionally impacted the participants. They found that when participants felt forced to eat, it was a negative experience. Instead, more encouraging and supportive efforts led to better outcomes. To be more positive with picky eaters, try asking for help with food preparation, explaining the nutritional benefits of certain foods, and being flexible with meals.