One of the best tips for introducing new foods and flavors to toddlers and kids (and even adults!) is to make it exciting, without pressure. I find the most effective way is to order different dishes on menus that you wouldn’t normally order. It’s a low lift way to try something new- you don’t have to cook or prepare. And, because you don’t have to cook or prepare, there’s less pressure. You won’t be personally offended when your toddler sees what you made and then asks for pizza….again!

For example, we went out to dinner the other night and ordered the Crispy Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts. My toddler used to eat Brussels, but hasn’t been interested in a while. So, when it arrived, we had zero expectations and there was zero pressure. We told him what the dish was and he tasted one on his own. He LOVED them and finished off the entire dish. It was beautiful :).

I recreated the recipe at home and, to my surprise, he loved them again! Again, I served without expectations or pressure and instead of praising him when he ate them, we just talked about how delicious they are, what they tasted like (sweet, salty), what the texture was (crunchy or soft?).

The biggest takeaway for you if you’re in a food battle with your child or frustrated with what he or she isn’t eating is to enjoy a meal out, order something new, and see how your child responds. Once you know he or she likes something, you can find a recipe to make at home!

This isn’t just a great recipe for toddlers, it’s perfect for adults, too. And, it would make a fantastic side dish on Thanksgiving!

Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds Brussels Sprouts

• 1 tbsp avocado oil (or more, if needed)

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp honey, to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half lengthwise.

2. Transfer them to a baking sheet and drizzle on avocado oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Mix so that the Brussels are evenly coated with oil (adding more if needed) and space them out so they aren’t touching (this allows them to crisp up!).

3. Roast them in a 400F oven for 20-30 minutes until crispy, stirring halfway through. Keep your eye on them so they don’t burn!

4. Once crispy, transfer to a large mixing bowl, drizzle with some honey and mix.

5. Enjoy as a side dish with your meal!

6. Optional: add in nuts for crunch (pecans and walnuts would be great).