10 Tips to Help Picky Eaters Get Their Nutrients

Last updated on March 11th, 2024 at 01:58 pm

I hear people say all the time, “Give your kids the good stuff early so they learn to like it.” That is just not true, in my case. I have four kids and have given them all the same meals since birth and three are great and adventurous eaters while that extra kid is as picky as they come.

I can remember the day, rather clearly, when I gave her a plate of black beans, avocado and whole wheat crackers. She refused to eat all but the crackers and these items were staples in our kitchen. Next, she wouldn’t eat eggs with spinach or crock pot meals. She was two and a half then and is now about to turn 8, and it is still the same. There is some sort of fear about the way it looks I suppose.

She loves junk. She loves sugar. She loves anything that isn’t good for her. I needed and wanted to get her the nutrients necessary so I had to get crafty. I don’t make separate meals but I also make sure there is something in each meal rotation that she likes. Some nights she might only eat mashed potatoes for dinner and that’s fine with me.

Here are 10 tips I use that help me know my kids gets their nutrients:

1. Sneak It In

• I make fruit shakes daily and here is a great place to sneak in a little extra love. Spinach, black beans and other mild vegetable are easy to hide their flavor when blended with sweet fruit. Bananas, when really ripe, do a great job masking other flavors.
• We bake. She seems to associate muffins as junk. I make pumpkin muffins and banana muffins that are rather healthy and she devours them. They are dairy free, gluten free and I add hemp or flax and she has no idea.
• We add onions to meat for burgers, blended up greens in sauces, shredded carrots, celery and onion in tuna or chicken salad.

2. Try Getting Creative

I put fruit in cupcake holders, use tooth picks for bite sized food, corn holder for apples, measuring cups for yogurt and anything that seems more fun than the traditional way of eating.

3. We Dip!

We use honey, ranch, ketchup and any other yummy dip for our vegetables. Everything is better with dip!

4. Get Them Involved With the Cooking

They still aren’t going to try or like everything, BUT there is a higher probability that they will at least try something if they have helped to make it.

5. Don’t Allow Them to Snack Whenever They Want

They must ask for a snack or drink so I can keep track of their daily intake. When it’s time for lunch or dinner it’s important for them to be hungry so they will attempt to eat what’s on their plate.

6. Model Healthy Eating

My husband and I try to eat well, at least in front of the kids so they will follow our lead.

7. Focus On the Food When Eating

We sit at the table, electronics off, TV off, no phones, toys or books at the table. I like to focus on our food and being together.

8. Dare Them to Try Something New

They get super giggly and think it’s a fun game to see who will be the first to try it, swallow without spitting it out, and take the biggest sip. Sounds silly but I know in one little shot of fresh, blended juice they get a whammy of vitamins.

9. Offer Variety

Don’t forget to offer things you don’t like! Just because you don’t like something, doesn’t mean they won’t. I hate pickles and my girls love them.

10. Find an Example

Lastly, and one of my favorites, is to point out a friend or someone they admire that is eating something good and see if they will jump on the bandwagon.

Whatever you discover is behind your child’s pickiness don’t be too hard on him or her. Trying new things can be scary just dig deep and get creative. Tracking progress, making a game out of it, and just cheering her on might go a long way into cultivating a little foodie.

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Related Articles

• Lunch Ideas for Picky Kids and Dairy Allergies
• 6 No-Fuss Ways to Encourage New Foods with Picky Toddlers
• I Don’t Want to Eat That! When Picky Eating Becomes a Problem

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