Sometimes kids struggle with trying different foods, especially different textures of foods. Repeat exposure and sensory integration through play helps them become accustomed to various textures, such as sticky, soft, crunchy, smooth. To help your child along the way, build a food sensory board allowing them to experience various foods and textures in a fun and colorful manner. The more exposure without expectation to eat the foods, the more likely they will be to try the foods. Present it to them as a snack in a low-pressure environment. Think kid-friendly, finger foods. Be sure to include one or two of their favorites so they have something familiar and comforting on the board as well. Use a muffin tin, ice cube tray or another divided plate to allow for all foods to be presented in a visually appealing manner. A sensory charcuterie board can be customized to fit your child’s interests. For easy grocery shopping list, check out our downloadable list!

To incorporate different textures:

Colorful Boards

Incorporating different colors into our diet, particularly from fruits and vegetables, increases our intake of vitamins and minerals. Phytonutrients give fruits and vegetables their bright colors and many have positive health effects, such as protecting against cancer and heart disease.  To increase your child’s exposure to all different colors, try a color based charcuterie board:

Another fun way to create a charcuterie board is to tap into learning, think A, B, C’s or 1, 2, 3s…

Apples/applesauce, almonds,

Bananas/beef (ground), bell peppers, broccoli

Carrots, cashews, chocolate, cherries, cheese

Dragon fruit, dates, dill pickles

Eggs, edamame, elbow macaroni

French toast, Fuji apples, fruit punch

Granola, grapes, grilled cheese bites,

Hot dogs, hamburgers, hash browns

Ice cream, instant mashed potatoes, instant oatmeal

Jell-O, jam, juice, jelly

Kidney beans, kettle corn, kiwi, ketchup

Lemons, limes, lollipops

Mushrooms, meatballs, melons

Nectarines, noodles, nuts

Oranges, oatmeal, omelet

Peas, pecans, pears, pumpkin, popcorn

Quinoa, quince, quesadillas

Rice, raspberries, red peppers, ravioli, ranch dressing

Salami, salsa, soup, scones, spinach, sweet potatoes

Tortillas, tomatoes, tangerine, turkey

Ube, upside down cake
Veggie burgers, vegetables, vanilla (ice cream)

Watermelon, waffles, whipped cream

Xavier soup, Xavier steak, Xocolati, xigua watermelon

Yellow peppers, yogurt, yams

Zucchini, ziti

We hope you found this post, written by our Registered Dietitian, Emily Poole, inspiring!

Additional resources can be found online at:



https://ainttooproudtomeg.com/back-to-school-kids-board/

https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/kid-friendly-charcuterie-board/