These guidelines can broaden kids' diets and help them to like more foods:

• Serve very small portions.  Children are overwhelmed and anxious if  presented with a large serving of an item they may not like or one they are unfamiliar with. When they are tense and nervous they are much less likely to learn to enjoy a new food they are eating. For tots, a single bite or perhaps two per meal of a new food may be enough.

• Dish up a bite (literally) of each food on every plate.   When this is eaten, they can have as much as they like of anything else being served.  Don't force them to eat a larger serving of a hated food because it is "good for them".  If they find that food revolting, it isn't healthy for them to have to eat a lot of it.

• Don't let a child think that an adult at the table doesn't like and won't eat a certain food.  If it cannot be eaten for health reasons, and the child is old enough to understand, explain.  Don't expect children to eat a food that adults refuse in front of them.

• Make it clear that complaining, whining and making ugly faces over a food will result in the child leaving the table.  (Note:  no serving treats or snacks later.  They will have to wait until the next meal for more food.)  Enforce this quickly and without a fuss.  Critical comments about the food also should be forbidden until after the table is cleared, at which time discussion should be allowed.

Don't worry about enforcing a "balanced diet", or agonize about a child starving to death if sent away from the table.  It won't last long, will come out all right in the end and makes for a happier kid and calmer parents.