My neighbors daughter just started preschool this September and part of it is everyone having the same thing for lunch. They eat tunafish sandwiches every other week and she refuses to eat tuna so instead has bread sandwiches those days, along with milk and fruit. The teachers believe in letting the kids take what they will eat (within reason) and don't see an issue. Is there anyway to encourage her to try tunafish without causing more issues?

I do not think that it is fair in that situation to force a child to just go without. Sandwiches are and have always been the one thing that we had choice with-and even at preschool, we got to choose our lunch from one of two choices.

Can the girl take her own lunch in a bag? Otherwise the mother will have to just keep on working on getting her to tolerate it at home.

She can't bring her own lunch. They provide lunch based on the children's allergies and giving them all the same thing is the easiest way to prevent issues at lunch. That was my first thought too. The worst part is its a really good preschool and they have a waiting list a mile long. The average waiting time in this area is three months, theirs is at least a year if not closer to two.

I don't think it is really going to hurt anything if she has just bread, fruit and milk for one meal in 14 days! I think pushing her into eating tuna fish could cause more problems in the long run.

Well, those who are supposed to know say that a child may have to be exposed to (meaning try it) a new food up to 15 times before they finally accept it. It is not forcing her, I am not suggesting the mother force feed the child. But this is the accepted way-a little, often.

I'm weighing in late, excuse me, but I'm dealing with this at home right now. I'd suggest that the mom make a tuna sandwich periodically at home and ask her daughter to try one bite, just one. Not force her, but just keep asking her to try one bite. Eventually she will try it, and she may like it or not like it. My husband hates tuna and won't eat it, some people just don't like certain foods. If she tries it and hates it, then fine. But she might like it if it's offered as a small bite along with the rest of her lunch at home, with no pressure.

One thing I have noticed about preschool aged children is that when they are in a peer situation they tend to do as their peers are doing. It really is a great way to get picky eaters to eat because if their friends are eating it they may become more comfortable and try it themselves.