Handling Your Picky Eater

Let’s be honest, staying health conscious as an adult has its own set of challenges, so making healthy eating exciting for children could be a new experience for most people.

I have been blessed with two energetic boys and as most parents can relate, one child is a very picky eater while his brother will eat anything you put in front of him. Hence the battle at hand; how do we eat as a family that is both delicious and nutritious for growth and development? How do we as adults entice our picky eaters at meal time, yet encourage them to continue to explore their pallet and expand their typical food choices. Solutions are limitless! And of course what works for some children, might not work for all.

I have experimented over the years with different ideas and wanted to share a few that seem to be successful for our family:

First and foremost (and I know this is harder than it seems), is try to set a good example when it comes to food choices. Children love to copy what they see, so if you are preparing and exposing them to a variety of different foods, they will be more likely to give it a try. It’s great to introduce fruits and vegetables to children at an early age to encourage health concious habits moving forward. However, it’s very important to remember to stay consistent and patient during this process. It took my oldest a couple years of trying certain vegetables before he made them part of his regular diet. Now with great pride, he asks for spinach! Who would have thought! We also typically keep an assortment of fruits and veggies in our house, so there are some easy choices during snack and mealtime.

Another idea that has worked for us is to have the kids help with meal prep. Whether that’s picking out ingredients at the grocery store, or helping in the kitchen, children are more excited to try something that they have helped create. I’ll admit, I was not the best in the kitchen, and having children made me step up my game! I absolutely love the time we spend together in the kitchen and watching their proud faces when we have a finished product. Prep time might turn out to be a little slower and the kitchen may be messier, but enjoy the process and remember in the end it could turn into a big win for everyone! (Or a hilarious story to tell later)

This blog post was written from personal experience by Rachel Groschke. This blog post is not intended to replace medical advice. Always speak to your health care provider for any advice and questions you may have regarding a medical condition.