Woman Comes Up With Genius Cake Stand Hack To Get Fussy Kids To Eat

Every parent knows kids can be very fussy eaters. One minute they like a certain food, the next they hate it and other times they simply refuse to try something different.

It can be a struggle. But, one mum from the West Midlands has come up with a genius way to get her fussy eater to try new things - and all you'll need is a cake stand.

Taking to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains Group on Facebook, Toni Bird, 33, has created the 'Treat Plate' - a simple way to encourage her three-year-old son, Kriston, to eat a range of foods.

Toni Bird)

Here's how it works...

So, all you'll need is a three-tier cake stand. Toni's is £6 from B&M. The bottom plate should hold foods they wouldn't usually try, the middle plate belongs to snacks you know they'll eat, and the top - or the 'treat plate' - is filled with their favourites.

Toni told Tyla: "The idea is that on the bottom plate, I put foods we would never eat or try while the middle is for the food I know he eats and recognises. I don't want everything to be new as it might be a bit daunting for him.

"The top plate is for treats. You get to eat the treats on top just as long as you start from the bottom and work your way up and try the foods. If you like them then great but if not at least you've tried it.

Toni Bird)

"On the second time I tried this, the bottom plate had peanut butter sandwich fingers on wholemeal bread, mature cheese cut into cubes and beetroot.

"At first when he tried the sandwich he pulled a face and put it down. He then tried the cheese and instantly pulled a face and said yuk! Then he tried the beetroot and he enjoyed it and ate two pieces.

"I asked him to try the sandwich again and he loved it. He ate all of it, even his sister's crusts. I asked him to try the cheese again but he said no and I left it. I don't want to pressure him or make him. I want this to be a treat and not a chore.

Toni Bird)

"It helps that I do it for him and his sister, Mia, 8. Mia will encourage him to eat too and Mia does like a lot of food so this helps."

Toni explained she only tries out the Treat Plate two to three times a week.

"I don't want them to get fed up of it or for the novelty to wear off. I want them to look forward to it and get excited when they see the plate coming," she continued.

So far, the idea has had amazing results, with Toni adding: "I feel really happy so far with the outcome and if this can help anyone else and make them feel the way I feel then it's a bonus.

"It is a worry when they don't eat because I'm questioning wether he has enough vitamins or whether his immune system is good.

"I've tried so many things in the past like buying funky plates, presenting the food in a fun and appealing way (for example chopping the sausage up and sticking it in the mash to look like a hedgehog) but none of this worked."

Anyone else craving afternoon tea now?

Topics: Life News, Food And Drink, Parenting

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].

@lucedevine