Mom’s brilliant hack for picky eaters has TikTok cheering—and parents taking notes

As a mom of two teens who were once masters of the food switcheroo (oh, you loved quesadillas every day for three weeks, and now suddenly they’re “gross”?), watching Becca Marotta’s viral TikTok about her picky eater brought back so many memories. Her solution? Let her son take control of the kitchen—and it’s pure genius.

“Welcome to my new series that I just made up making my picky eater of a son make all of his own food,” Marotta explains in her video before adding with a smile, “That sounds a lot meaner than it actually is.”

Her approach is beautifully simple: She encouraged her son to find videos of food that looked good to him, promised to buy all the ingredients, and offered to help him make it. The result? A proud mama watching her formerly selective eater demolish a plate of beefy tacos he made himself.

@beccamarottaa I think I’ve cracked the code on how to make a picky eat actually eat 👐🏼 He ate the entire thing, they were SO good and now he’s looking for his next meal to try and cook #fyp #momsoftiktok #momlife #momtok ♬ Dolce Nonna – Wayne Jones & Amy Hayashi-Jones

I couldn’t help but smile watching this because it brought me back to my own kitchen adventures with my kids, now 13 and 19. Trust me when I say involving kids in the cooking process is like unlocking a secret level in the parenting game. Not only does it help expand their palates, but it also builds independence—which, let me tell you, is a gift that keeps on giving. (Want to sleep in on weekends? Teach your kid to make eggs. They might even make some for you, too. Ask me how I know.)

Related: Picky eating in kids is mostly due to genetics, study says

The comments section of Marotta’s video is filled with wisdom from both parents and former picky eaters. User @juliakoziara, a culinary teacher who identified as a recovered picky eater, shared, “What helped me get over my food aversions was getting in the kitchen!” @Thea_amphitrite noted how this approach helps kids appreciate “planning, cooking, and cleaning a meal” while learning valuable life skills.

What struck me was a comment from user @why, whose brother-in-law is an autistic teenager with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). They observed that their brother-in-law was more likely to try foods when he helped prepare them—proving that this approach can work for various eating challenges.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me when I was losing sleep over my kids’ limited menu choices: Picky eating usually doesn’t last forever. My teens now have palates that would put some food critics to shame. We’ve always maintained what I call a “growth mindset” around food—the idea that tastes can and do change. (Full disclosure: I didn’t appreciate olives or red wine until my thirties, and now? Let’s just say I’m living my best bougie life.)

Related: 15 proven ways to get your kids to eat healthier meals 

The sentiment from @SansaSnarks resonated with many: “This will create such a good relationship with food, I wish my mom did this 😭” Marotta herself responded, sharing that creating a positive relationship with food was “actually my goal. I really want him to finally see food isn’t bad and there’s so much good around cooking and eating.”

So, if you’re living through the ever-changing phases of what your kid will or won’t eat, take heart. It may be time to hand over the apron strings (with supervision, of course) and let your little chef take the lead. The kitchen might get messy, but the results could be deliciously worth it.

After all, as @Roon pointed out, this approach aligns perfectly with Montessori learning principles: “I love to see it!!! He should be proud.” Sometimes, the best teaching moments happen over a hot stove—and if you’re lucky, they end with tacos.