The "try it" bite is a common strategy many parents use to encourage their children to explore new foods. The idea is simple: just one bite to see if they might like it. For some, it feels like a gentle nudge toward expanding a child’s palate. However, this well-meaning tactic isn't one-size-fits-all.

Some children may feel pressured, and that pressure can actually increase pickiness. For kids who are sensitive to textures, smells, or even the social dynamics of a meal, the "try it" bite can backfire, turning mealtime into a battleground and reinforcing food aversions. It’s important to remember that what works for one child might not work for another.

This strategy can feel extra nuanced when honoring cultural norms where refusing food can be seen as rude—especially when someone has gone to great lengths to prepare a special dish. In this sense, the “try it bite” can feel like a clash between teaching a social courtesy and setting developmentally-appropriate expectations that nurture a healthy relationship to food.

This struggle is not new. For many, the "clear your plate" campaign of the past looms large. Encouraged by the U.S. government after World War II to combat food waste, families were once taught to finish everything on their plates. The idea of wasting food was entangled with food scarcity, a reality that shaped how generations viewed mealtime. For families today, this past trauma can still surface, making it difficult to find peace in letting a child decline food.

Trying foods is seen as polite and healthy, yet forcing foods and overriding hunger and full cues is damaging. What in the world should you do? When in doubt, individualize your approach. Observe your own child!

If you’ve tried the "try it" bite and found that it only made things worse, take a deep breath. It's okay. Parenting, especially around meals, is full of trial and error. You can try other approaches, like allowing your child to simply smell or touch the food with no expectation to eat it, or you might model curiosity without applying any pressure. “This cauliflower is purple! I wonder if it tastes the same as white cauliflower!” Normalizing your own openness to food can be even more effective than asking for that one bite.

Ultimately, respect for your child’s boundaries and needs at the table is just as important as considering social customs. But, your desire to be seen as raising “well-behaved” kids should never come at the cost of laying a healthy foundation for food exploration. For severe or persistent signs of food aversions, it is best to connect with your pediatrician, who can refer you to a specialist.