Tips for Your Picky Eaters
By Donna Stark
Do you have picky eaters at home? Are your children's faces turned away from their food more often than they are facing it? If you are looking for ways to introduce more fruits and vegetables to your children's diets but aren't sure how to do so, you are in luck! Here are some simple suggestions that will encourage your children to eat everything on their plates and may even get them to love what they normally refused! Are you ready for this wonderful change to happen? Keep reading!
Have Fun With Color
Children love color so try to incorporate more of it into your dishes. Need some ideas? Check out the following kid-friendly suggestions.
- Yellows - Pineapple, bell peppers, zucchini, and bananas
- Greens - Kiwi, cucumbers, broccoli, spinach, and honeydew
- Reds - Strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and radishes
- Purples - Grapes, eggplant, cabbage, and potatoes
- Oranges - Carrots, tangerines, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes
Start slowly and add only one new fruit or vegetable at a time. You may find more success by taking baby steps with this approach.
Experiment With Textures
Maybe your children refused to eat the broccoli because you steamed it one night and it came out extra mushy. That doesn't necessarily mean they didn't like the vegetable ... it could just mean they didn't like the way it was cooked! So experiment with cooking techniques and introduce your children to different types of textures. If they like a little bit of crunch, serve the vegetables raw or if they like them soft but not mushy, try roasting them. Take the time to observe how your children react to see what they prefer.
Separate What Is on the Plate
Some children (and even some adults) don't like it when their meal has ingredients that are mixed together. If your children are like this, you may need to try a different strategy when it comes time to plan and plate your meals. Separate the vegetables from each other and avoid casseroles at all costs. By cooking the ingredients and plating them apart from each other, you may find that your children are willing to eat more.
Making Kid-Friendly Meals
Get ready to experience less stress at mealtimes. By experimenting in the kitchen and trying new colors, textures, and cooking strategies, you may be able to convince your children to step out of their picky-eater boxes. And who knows? They may even start to enjoy the same things as you.
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