6 Genius Hacks to Help Fussy Eaters Try New Foods
- Joyce Ng
- Mar 15, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 2
By Genesis Childcare 1989, Tampines Childcare Experts
Do mealtimes feel like a daily battle with your little one? You’re definitely not alone. Many parents find themselves worrying when their child refuses to eat vegetables, spits out new foods, or insists on eating only a handful of familiar dishes. Picky eating is a common stage in a child’s development — but with patience, creativity, and a few smart tricks, you can help your fussy eater develop a healthy relationship with food.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, a trusted Tampines preschool and Tampines child care center, we understand that good nutrition is the cornerstone of your child’s growth and development. Our teachers and caregivers have years of experience supporting young children as they learn to explore new tastes and textures in a nurturing, stress-free way.
Here are six genius hacks that can make a big difference when feeding fussy eaters — plus, how Genesis Childcare 1989 and Nurture Infant House, our Tampines infant care branch, promote healthy eating habits right from infancy.
1. Turn veggies into “fries”
French fries are every child’s favorite, but deep-fried fast food versions are often loaded with unhealthy oils and sodium. The good news? You can recreate this comfort food in a nutritious way. Try baking carrot sticks, zucchini, or eggplant fries in the oven instead. Lightly drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle a bit of seasoning to keep them tasty yet healthy.
At our Tampines preschool, teachers use similar creative food presentation methods to encourage children to try vegetables during mealtimes. When veggies look fun and familiar, even the pickiest eaters are more likely to take a bite.
2. Make fruity lollies for a cool treat
Who says dessert can’t be healthy? Blend bananas, strawberries, and blueberries with yoghurt, pour the mix into molds or a loaf pan, and insert lollipop sticks before freezing overnight. The result: colorful, refreshing fruit lollies that are as nutritious as they are delicious.
This hack works wonders during hot days in Singapore! Children think they’re having a special treat, but you’ll know they’re getting vitamins and natural sugars instead of processed sweets.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we inspire children to see fruits not as “boring food” but as exciting and tasty parts of their daily diet. This approach builds a positive attitude toward healthy eating that lasts for years to come.
3. Add some fun — make food faces!
Visual appeal goes a long way with children. Arrange fruits, vegetables, or grains into a smiley face or fun shapes — for instance, a plate that looks like a cute animal or cartoon character. Better yet, involve your child in the process! When kids participate in creating their meals, they feel proud of their food and become more willing to taste it.
Our educators at Genesis Childcare 1989 follow this same philosophy during snack and lunchtime. By transforming meals into playful, sensory learning experiences, children associate positive emotions with food exploration rather than stress or pressure.
4. Keep portions small and pressure-free
Fussy eaters can easily feel overwhelmed when presented with a full plate of unfamiliar food. Instead, start small. Offer bite-sized portions or just one spoonful of a new dish. Praise them for trying, but never force them to finish everything.
At our Tampines nursery and Tampines preschool, mealtimes are designed to be calm and encouraging. Our teachers gently motivate children to try new foods without turning it into a struggle. Over time, this helps children gain confidence and curiosity to explore more flavors.
Remember, introducing new foods takes time and patience — and consistency is key.
5. Get creative with shapes and colors
Another great trick for parents is to use cookie cutters or silicone molds to turn ordinary meals into delightful shapes. Imagine rice stars, heart-shaped sandwiches, or vegetable flower skewers! These playful touches make healthy food more visually engaging.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our meal presentations follow similar principles. By using the My Healthy Plate guidelines developed by Singapore’s Health Promotion Board (HPB), we ensure that each meal is well-balanced, visually appealing, and suited to your child’s age and nutritional needs.
With the right balance of grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, children at our Tampines child care center enjoy a variety of wholesome dishes that encourage good eating habits early on.
6. Try fun utensils and themed tableware
Sometimes, something as simple as a new spoon can make all the difference. Kids love novelty! Consider using colorful bowls, plates, or utensils shaped like animals or vegetables. Imagine a fork shaped like a carrot — your child may find it so amusing that they’ll forget to be fussy.
Our teachers at Nurture Infant House (Tampines infant care) also use age-appropriate feeding tools designed for babies and toddlers to encourage self-feeding safely. This builds fine motor skills, independence, and a positive mealtime routine.
Healthy and Balanced Meals — The Genesis Childcare 1989 Way
It’s important to remember that fussy eating is a normal phase in childhood. Every child is unique — some may take longer to accept certain foods, and that’s okay. The key is consistency, patience, and creating a supportive environment.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we go beyond simply providing meals — we educate children about nutrition. Our Tampines preschool program teaches little ones about the importance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins through stories, songs, and hands-on activities.
Using the My Healthy Plate model, our chefs and caregivers prepare well-balanced meals daily, ensuring children receive the right mix of nutrients to grow strong, smart, and healthy. We also cater to children’s individual preferences and allergies, always keeping parents informed about what their children eat at school.
We understand that developing good eating habits early can set the foundation for lifelong wellness. That’s why we make mealtimes educational, fun, and stress-free.
Building Healthy Habits from Infancy: Hacks to Help Fussy Eaters
If your child is between 2 and 18 months old, we invite you to explore Nurture Infant House, our Tampines infant care center under Genesis Childcare 1989 Group. Designed specifically for babies and toddlers, our nurturing environment encourages exploration, sensory play, and early learning — all while ensuring their comfort and safety.
Our experienced infant educators observe each baby closely, respond to their cues, and provide attentive care that fosters trust and emotional security. Feeding, sleeping, and play routines are carefully personalized so every child feels loved and cared for, just like at home.
For parents dealing with fussy eaters, here are a few simple hacks we’ve found effective:
Make mealtimes fun – Offer colorful, bite-sized portions and let your child explore new textures at their own pace.
Lead by example – Babies learn by watching. When they see adults enjoying healthy foods, they’re more likely to try them too.
Keep it consistent – Introduce new foods slowly and repeat exposure without pressure; familiarity builds acceptance.
Involve the senses – Let your child touch, smell, and even play with food during sensory activities — this reduces anxiety around eating.
Stay calm and patient – Every baby has unique preferences; avoid turning mealtime into a struggle.
One parent shared,
“Thank you very much for your time and effort to take care of our Eijaz Hasbi as well as other babies. Managing young babies can be very tough, but we salute and appreciate your patience and tender loving care.”
Such heartfelt feedback reflects our commitment to creating a warm, family-like environment where both children and parents feel supported — especially through every little challenge, including mealtime adventures. Our educators also share hacks to help fussy eaters, such as offering colorful and bite-sized portions, involving children in food preparation, turning meals into playful experiences, and keeping a calm, positive atmosphere at the table. These practical hacks make eating more enjoyable and help children develop healthy eating habits naturally.
Why Choose Genesis Childcare 1989 and Nurture Infant House?
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that a child’s early years form the foundation for future success. From Tampines infant care to Tampines nursery and Tampines preschool levels, we provide a holistic learning experience that nurtures every aspect of your child’s development — intellectual, emotional, physical, and social.
Our programs are guided by three core principles:
Care: Providing a safe, loving, and respectful environment where every child feels valued.
Nutrition: Offering balanced, healthy meals and teaching positive eating habits early.
Growth: Encouraging curiosity, independence, and joy in learning through play and discovery.
Enroll Today — Limited Slots Available
Healthy eating habits begin at home, but the right childcare environment makes a world of difference. Let us partner with you in your parenting journey.
Choose Genesis Childcare 1989 for a nurturing and educational Tampines child care experience, or Nurture Infant House for exceptional Tampines infant care. Together, we’ll help your child grow with confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for good food.
✨ Secure your child’s slot today at Genesis Childcare 1989, Tampines Preschool, or Nurture Infant House, Tampines Infant Care. ✨Spots are limited, so don’t wait — give your little one the best start in life!
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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