The Stranger Analogy for new foods

My Spanish sister, Eva, shared a story she used with her kids when trying to teach them to try new foods. Here it is, with a slight change or two.

Imagine you are in your house waiting for your grandparents to arrive. You hear the doorbell and get up to answer it.

When you get to the door, instead of grandma and grandpa, you see a strange old man with an old fashioned hat and a mustache. He's familiar to your parents, but you don't know him.

He says, "I'm here", walks in, sits on your couch, and asks for a glass of water.

Out of hospitality, you get him a drink of water, but you think "I really wish grandpa were here instead of this strange man". At least I know grandma and grandpa.

One week later, the exact same thing happens. The old man comes in place of grandpa. He asks for a glass of water. This time you are still annoyed, but you expect his request, get him a glass of water.

In spite of yourself, you notice something you like. His hat is kind of neat. You still don't care for the man, but you like his hat.

Another week goes by. The stranger shows up again, with his neat hat. You get the glass of water and admire the hat. You even notice that his hat matches the color of his mustache. His style is starting to grow on you.

By the fourth week, you invite the man in, get him a glass of water, admire his hat and mustache. You decide to strike up a conversation. Ultimately, you discover that you really like this old man. You still love your grandparents, but you discover you have a new friend in this old guy.

Eva told her kids this story as they would try new foods. As they ate, she would say "Do you like it or not?" and "What specifically do you like or dislike? The texture, flavor? Does it remind you of something?"

Her kids are not yet teenagers, yet they eat like adults. They don't care for "kids" food and want to eat what their parents do.

My son is only 6 months, so we aren't quite there.