10 February 2024 , 17:00
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Trying to feed a fussy toddler is not a fun experience. But one mum has come up with an ingenious solution to get her child eating healthy food - using a £6 buy from B&M.
Toni Bird has shared her helpful hack with fellow parents, giving details of her method to ensure her three-year-old tries unfamiliar food, which she calls 'the treat plate'.
The mum-of-two posted a photo on Facebook showing a three-tiered cake stand, with different snacks on each level, as reported by the Daily Star .
She wrote back in 2020: "My 3-year-old son is a fussy eater and won't try anything new. So I came up with this idea... I've called it 'The Treat Plate'. The idea is to start from the bottom plate and work your way up to the treats."
Toni fills the bottom plate with new foods for her son to try or those which he has previously refused to taste, including pepper, cucumber and carrot.
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Toni shared a photo of her 'Treat Plate' with fellow parents (Facebook)If he makes an effort to give each snack a go, he can then move up to the next plate. "The first attempt was a success and he tried everything on the bottom plate, he didn't like it all but he tried it and that's all I asked," Toni shared.
"He liked the pepper and cucumber! He has never even attempted to eat this before when I have given it to him so this was a big deal."
The middle layer contains his healthy favourites which he already eats, likes and recognises. Her son loves fruit so she included bananas, strawberries and satsuma segments.
If he makes an effort with the first two plates and Toni thinks he has done well, her little one is allowed to move up to the top layer, on which she had placed a Mr Kipling slice and some crisps.
She added: "I'm hoping this is a step forward for his eating and would recommend it to anyone who’s in the same situation."
Toni, who works at B&M, bought the cake stand from the store for just £6. The post proved to be a huge hit with other parents, racking up thousands of likes as people tagged friends and family with fussy children.
One said: "Fab idea. Apparently it takes up to 7 times of eating something to realise if you like it or not so it's always worth trying things again after a break from them. Well done little one!"
Another vowed to give it a go, writing: "OMG, what an amazing idea. My eldest is four and he's so fussy, but loves fruit and junk."
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