Day 5 of 12 Days of Christmas
On the fifth day of Christmas…
Today’s tip is all about your picky eaters, whether that is you, your kids or your spouse. Most of these work best on your kids, but this will help with all of your picky eaters.
Here are 5 ways to help overcome that battle.
- Get them involved! There are a few ways to do this. One way is to have them help pick out a few meals for the week. This way, they feel like they have some control. You can even just have them pick out a side or two that is a favorite of theirs. Another way to get them involved is to take them to the store (or shop online) and have them pick out something new to try. Finally, one more technique to get them engaged is to have them help prepare that new food. This leads into the next tip…
- This is another tip to get them involved, but it’s slightly different. Plant a garden together. It doesn’t have to be big. It doesn’t even have to be outside. You can plant something as simple as herbs on a sunny windowsill. Then have them help plan ways and recipes to use the herb or whatever vegetable you have grown together. They will be so excited to see what they’ve grown and share what they’ve prepared.
- Offer at least one thing at each meal that you know they like and will eat. I know sometimes that changes from meal to meal, but usually they have a favorite that will stick around. Even if it’s the same thing at each meal, it can help to stop some of the struggles.
- Give them choices. The next 2 tips are ideas that you can use to give them a sense of control over what they are eating. When you use these techniques, they can have a choice and you, or the non-picky eaters can still feel like you are getting a variety. Set up a baked potato bar. Provide each family member with a baked potato that they top with various topping you have available. Some suggestions are – cheese, bacon, chili, broccoli, sour cream, ranch dressing, salsa, bell peppers, herbs, tomatoes, caramelized onions, fried mushrooms, diced ham, crushed tortilla or corn chips, etc. The possibilities are endless!
- Another idea is individual foil packets. This works the same way as the baked potato bar. Give everyone a bowl to fill with various toppings – chicken, ground meat, diced ham, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, onions, squash, bell peppers, cheese, herbs, etc. You can choose to have everything raw or pre cook some of the ingredients, like the meat, potatoes, dense veggies like carrots, etc. Once everyone has filled their bowls, transfer to a square of heavy duty foil, add a little oil and wrap them up. Grill or bake until desired tenderness, depending on whether your ingredients were raw or pre cooked.
I hope these ideas help spark your creativity and help ease some of the struggles you have with your picky eaters.
Click here to get a pdf that has some of these ideas listed.