Fussy Eaters :(

WiccanSpirit · 02-15-2007, 09:43 AM

Hi, i wasn't sure where to post this so i figured that tips and techniques was the best place because i am seeking advice.

I would like to know what i can make for my kids (ages 5, 7, and 10 years) My 10 year old is not very fussy but the other two are majorly fussy. Any ideas on what i can get them to eat that is good for them??

Thanks to everyone who replies, you will be helping me get my kids to eat something sensible! lol

chipinoh · 02-15-2007, 10:04 AM

Can't go wrong with mac & cheese, yogurt, mandarin oranges... My kids also really like fruit cocktail set in sugar-free jello. For protein, most kids like peanut butter. Also, no matter what entree I make, I just tell them it's chicken!

WiccanSpirit · 02-15-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipinoh

Can't go wrong with mac & cheese, yogurt, mandarin oranges... My kids also really like fruit cocktail set in sugar-free jello. For protein, most kids like peanut butter. Also, no matter what entree I make, I just tell them it's chicken!

Yup, my kids LOVE Peanut butter. My youngest son would live on that if he could! I know it's considered part of the meat food group but i worry because he never wants to eat meat. (i'm thinking he is a vegatarian) sorry about the typos. lol And as for the chicken remark, that's the way my 7 year old is, he thinks every meat dish i make is chicken! lol even if it's moose meat!!

Stephanie2377 · 02-15-2007, 05:18 PM

Is there a way to hide things? Maybe make spaghetti sauce with lots of good sauteed veggies along with the meat? My son loves veggies that I mix with a pat of butter and crushed Ritz crackers. It is like a casserole!
Or, give them lots of yummy dips for their veggies! I think often, it is about presentation. Peanut Butter is *great*, I agree!!

Tangent210 · 02-15-2007, 08:06 PM

Well I find it helps a lot if they have a good experience with the food first. If you try to give them boiled carrots are something of the sort, they will tend to shy away from it for a long time. So mix it in with something for sure. I've found putting some small cubes of carrot and thinly sliced celery in a soup is an easy way to get them to try it and once they find they like it in that they will be more willing to try it in other dishes. Fruit cocktails are great and any sort of raw fruits. Perhaps buy them something they may have not had before (Like a stairfruit, kiwi or mango) and if they like it, they may be more open to new foods. Just a few ideas. Hope it helped!

WiccanSpirit · 02-15-2007, 09:17 PM

Thank you SO much Stephanie and tangent! Both are absolutely wonderful ideas and i will try them right away. I will keep you posted on how it goes. Once again, thanks so much everyone for the wonderful ideas, i am sitting here with a pad and pen writing all of this down. LOL Keep the ideas rolling guys, you are all amazing!

mary · 02-15-2007, 11:00 PM

A few tips I used when my children were younger & more fussy about meals. Make everything an adventure - Kids love anything eaten off a stick and then dipped! You can purchase bamboo skewers or even craft/popsicle sticks to skewer food. My kids loved "chicken on a stick" (boneless chicken prepared almost any way) Provide them with a variety of dipping sauces: honey, mustard, mild salsa, catsup, spaghetti sauce to name a few. Same thing with vegetables: you can skewer them alternately with the chicken (or any other meat of your choice) These veggies can be dipped, also.

One more: Spaghetti squash is terrific! Prepare it (directions usually on a sticker that comes on the squash) then top it off with marinara sauce and grated parmesan. My kids called it "funny spaghetti" If you want to be really trick, steam or boil vegetables until very tender. Grind them in your food processor & add these to you marinara sauce - the kids will never know.

Hopefully, this will be a start!! Good luck - let us all know how it goes!!

chipinoh · 02-16-2007, 02:04 PM

Here's one I just heard on the radio: A caller said she routinely used water in which she had boiled vegetables for making kool-aid or crystal light for her kids to drink! She said they never notice the difference.

WiccanSpirit · 02-16-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipinoh

Here's one I just heard on the radio: A caller said she routinely used water in which she had boiled vegetables for making kool-aid or crystal light for her kids to drink! She said they never notice the difference.

Oh my goodness! No way! lol that is the first i have ever heard! I thought i was desperate to get my kids to eat well! lol Well, i guess whatever works eh? And thank you Mary, that was a wonderful idea. I am sure my kids will love that. Problem is, i will have to make sure they don't go near eachother when they are eating. They love to fight if you get my drift!

lol wow, that's just freaky about the veggie water. Idea kind of grows on you....