Cooking for a Picky Eater

Cooking for a Picky Eater

Having a toddler who is a picky eater can sometimes make it hard to prepare healthy food. Especially when your toddler only wants nuggets and fries. Well let me tell you it has been a long journey but I have gotten very creative. When it comes to breakfast, it’s pretty easy. My daughter likes pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, and bananas. I sometimes can even squeeze in a smoothie. So during lunch time, it can get kinda tricky. She’s a big fan of nuggets and fries. I mean she likes other things, but some days she’s just not feeling it.

You know that feeling when you think you finally found a new recipe that your child likes, and then you try it again and they spit it out? Well, I’ve been there and back. So if you have a little tot like mine, then I have some great options you can try.

One of my suggestions would be to try a healthy chicken nugget brand. I’ve tried this great plant-based one that my daughter loves. You can also swap out those store-bought fries for some homemade sweet potato fries. Pizza is also a great option. You can cut the crust off and cut them into squares, add a veggie and fruit. And you have a healthy lunch for your little tot. I find that when you have a picky eater, finger foods work best.

Another great option (if your child doesn’t have a nut allergy) would be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You can even make it a fun project for you and your little one. By grabbing a cookie cutter and cutting out little animal shapes. Also, peanut butter provides protein and that is just what your little tot needs. To grow healthy and strong. My daughter went through a stage where she actually loved broccoli. So I would add that to either her lunch or dinner. Making sure she gets those veggies in whenever I can.

Dinner time is pretty much the same. I would take those chicken nuggets, and add some mashed potatoes and gravy with a side of broccoli and apple sauce. That has been my go-to for my picky eater. So on days when she’s not feeling the spaghetti and meatballs or red beans and rice, I know I have a healthy meal that she will love either way. I guess you can call it my backup meal! I feel every mom should have one for their picky eater.