Q: My son is 18 months old and shies away from trying any new foods. His main food to eat used to be mac and cheese and chunked fruit. Now he doesn't even want that anymore.  Some days I'm afraid he will go hungry. Is it normal for little ones his age to be like this? Is there an easy way to introduce new foods?

--motherof2boys09

A: Around 18-24 months, many children are picky eaters, and often it's just a matter of offering new foods - but doing it many times. Studies show that offering foods 7-10 times is sometimes needed for a child to accept it. Plus, think about texture and mouth feel of the foods. Your son likes mac and cheese - so he might like another type of pasta and sauce. Or, a grilled cheese sandwich. Try different colored vegetables - cooked or mashed, and see if he'll try them. Also, if he doesn't have any allergies, a scrambled egg is one of the best sources of protein around. Yogurt, or a smoothie might be a good choice. Don't worry about his picky eating, as long as he continues to grow. Talk to your pediatrician, to make sure he is meeting his nutritional needs. Also, avoid feeding him "by the clock". It's important to feed him when HE is hungry - whether it's mealtime or not. That's when he'll be most receptive to new foods. Carry some foods around that are portable - a banana, for example, if you're at the park, and he's hungry. This can be frustrating, but keep trying different foods, prepared in different ways. Patience counts here, and that's how Brenden will become a more adventurous eater.

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Madelyn H. Fernstrom, PhD, CNS, is the iVillage Health Editor-at-Large, Diet & Nutrition Editor for the Today Show and the Founder and Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Weight Management Center.