French Parents Don’t Raise Picky Eaters— This is Their Secret

If you haven’t yet jumped on the French-People-Do-Everything-Better-Obsessed-with-French-Parenting train, it may be time— especially when it comes to changing your kids’ picky eating habits.

We’re all fans of the “French Is Best” books like Pamela Druckerman’s cult classics Bringing Up Bebe, Bebe by Day, and French Parents Don’t Give In: 100 Parenting Tips from Paris, so when we came across Karen Le Billon’s French Kids Eat Everything, we just knew we had to dive right in.

Inside, author Karen Le Billon tells the story of how her family moved from Canada to her husband’s hometown in Northern France and experienced a pleasant 360-degree turnaround of her daughters’ (very!) picky eating habits as they adopted the French “food rules.”

Le Billon shares that French children happily eat everything from beets to broccoli, salad to spinach, mussels to mackerel, and it all goes back to the following foodie ways she learned while across the pond. So, let’s break down some of these rules and how you can introduce them into your own family’s mealtime routine— trust us, it works!

Keep scrolling to read the French parenting rules that will help stop picky eaters.

Parents Schedule Meals and Menus

You are not a short order cook, so don’t let your kids dictate meals as if you’re the drive-thru window. In France, children eat three set meals a day, with a “le goûter” (a snack) around 4 PM. Parents choose the menu— no exceptions. Kids eat what the adults eat. No negotiating or catering to picky tastes, and certainly no substitutions.

The French approach teaches kids to trust that meals will be provided at the same time every day, so they don’t feel the need to constantly ask for snacks. When meals are predictable and structured, children learn to enjoy food more, without constantly pestering for “special orders.” In fact, the whole family follows the same schedule and sits down together, so everyone gets a chance to eat as a unit— not as individuals snacking separately throughout the day.

Eat Family Meals Together

This might sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how easy it is to get caught up in the hustle of busy schedules and end up eating separately or distracted. In France, family meals are sacred. Le Billon explains that the French “never, ever, eat without putting a tablecloth on the table.” That simple gesture of setting the table makes each meal feel like an occasion— not just a time to fill your stomach but a moment to connect with the family.

In French parenting, kids are expected to sit down, pay attention, and enjoy the meal together. The magic here is in the “ceremony” of it all: pretty plates, cloth napkins, and maybe even candles. Le Billon says this ritual “immediately puts them on their best behavior,” and helps foster an environment where food is respected and appreciated.

Make family meals a time to unwind, have light conversation, and enjoy each other’s company. When food is treated as an event, kids will naturally learn to associate meals with enjoyment rather than as a chore.

Eat Your Veggies (And Make Them Fun!)

Le Billon advises that French parents typically serve vegetables first, when kids are hungriest, so they’re more likely to dive right in. Veggies might include sliced cucumbers, grated carrot salad, or sautéed string beans. The key here is variety— mix up the veggie options every day.

You don’t have to serve plain steamed broccoli every night to make it “healthy” (yawn). The French get creative with their vegetable offerings, adding herbs, different cooking methods (hello, roasted veggies), or even presenting them in fun, visually appealing ways to engage the kids.

One of the best things you can do is show your child that veggies aren’t “the boring part of the meal.” Introduce a “rainbow plate” strategy— the more colors, the more exciting! Not only does this keep meals visually appealing, but it encourages kids to try new flavors and textures. Plus, eating the rainbow means your kids are getting a variety of nutrients without even realizing it.

Do Not Use Food as a Bribe, Reward, or Punishment

This might be one of the toughest habits to break, but it’s a game-changer in the long run. The French don’t use food as a tool for control— it’s not a reward for good behavior or a punishment for bad behavior. Doing so would just send the message that food is something to be manipulated or emotionally connected to, which could lead to unhealthy relationships with food later in life.

Think about it— if your child only eats veggies because they get dessert afterward, it’s reinforcing the idea that food is transactional. Instead, by removing food as a bribe or punishment, you encourage a healthier, more neutral relationship with eating. It’s all about teaching kids to respect food for what it is, not as a tool to change their behavior.

You Don’t Have to Like It, But You Do Have to Taste It

Le Billon introduces a simple but powerful rule: “If the child refuses to eat, the parents simply take the food away without too much comment.” They don’t hover, they don’t beg, and they don’t make a fuss. The child is expected to taste everything, even if they don’t immediately want to.

Research shows that children often need to try a new food 7 to 15 times before they’ll warm up to it, so don’t get discouraged if they reject a new veggie or dish. The key here is consistency. You may be met with some resistance (that’s totally normal), but you’re teaching your kids that they don’t get to decide what’s served— they just need to taste it. Over time, their palates will expand, and they’ll be much more open to trying different flavors.

No Snacking!

In French culture, snack time isn’t an all-day affair. Le Billon explains that French kids don’t snack throughout the day or before meals. Instead, they’re encouraged to eat at regular mealtimes and feel the natural hunger that comes with it. This teaches kids to handle the sensation of hunger— and trust that their next meal is coming soon enough.

By eliminating constant snacking, kids are more likely to eat real, nutrient-dense meals when they do sit down to eat. They won’t fill up on chips or cookies and will be much more inclined to dig into the main course when it’s served. You’re also teaching them that food isn’t just for mindlessly munching on throughout the day; it’s something to be savored and enjoyed during designated times.

A Little Patience Goes a Long Way

It’s worth noting that Le Billon emphasizes patience throughout her book. Changing a child’s eating habits doesn’t happen overnight— and that’s okay! The French approach to food is about building a healthy foundation that lasts a lifetime. So while your child may not instantly love broccoli or enjoy the ritual of family meals, sticking with it will eventually pay off.

You can help your kids embrace new foods by being consistent with these rules and giving them time to adapt. Over time, they’ll learn that food is a part of life, a way to connect, and something to enjoy—not just something to avoid or resist.

With these simple but powerful French parenting rules, French families have found a way to foster a love for diverse foods, respect for mealtime, and healthy habits that last well into adulthood. So, ready to give it a try? You might just find that your kids will be eating everything from beets to mackerel in no time!