creative preschooler lunches??

Question

Semms my 4 yr old gets pickier everyday. I feel like I am feeding her the same thing all the time!! Anyone have any new ideas, or creative combos for snacks or lunches??

Answer 1

young Kids oveously dont like "boring" or "gross" types of food. kids are very imaginative & maybe want FUN or Cool ways to eat..right?

Try going to these following sites that might help you:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060721101835AAFu7kJ&cp=2&tp=2

http://www.care2.com/channels/lifestyle/food

http://getcrafty.com/columns/west_coast_crafty/january_07_getting_crafty_with_kids.php

http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/c_436.xml

Its good to be creative & all, but dont overwork yourself & remember..let your growing child stay healthy..sorry for All the suggestions. If you want to know more of nutrition for your kids, Read this article:

http://health.yahoo.com/topic/parenting/feeding/article/mayoclinic/2825E732-AE5A-4296-A9A6DA77BA7E872E;_ylt=Ag.eljNKC7kalxFVDN9XeaJYt8UF

Answer 2

I haven't tried this myself yet, but a former co-worker told me she used to make this all the time for her kids, and now she makes it for her grandkids, and they all love it!

She makes a package of Raman Noodles (with or without seasoning) and drains off all the water so it's just noodles. Puts that in a bowl or plate.

Then she takes a hot dog and slices it into thin strips from one end, but not completely across, and boils in water until the strips form curled edges. When it's done it is supposed to look like a tiny octopus with a head and curly tentacles. She sets the "octopus" on top of the cooked noodles and apparently all the kids in her family go wild over it.

Like I said, I have never tried it myself since my daughter is still very young, but a four-year-old might get a kick out of that!

Answer 3

I think every mother goes through that with her children. The important thing is to keep offering healthy choices even if the child does not seem interested in them. We have a rule that you have to try each thing on your plate. If you don't like it, you don't have to even swallow it, but atleast put it in your mouth and try it. I would never force them to swallow something they don't like or force them to clean their plate.

Also, I checked out a children's book on good nuitrition from the library recently. It explained why it is important to eat healthy foods versus junk, then it had some recipes that you could try making with your children. My preschooler loved it, and every since she keeps talking about eating healthier so she can be strong. Infact yesterday I served carrot sticks at lunch and it was the first time she actually ate them, instead of chewing them up and spitting them out. And she ate celery the other day too. I was so surprised. It won't work overnight. You just have to keep trying.

Try serving one or two items that you know your child likes with each meal, then have one or two that is new. If your child decides she likes it great, if not, just keep trying. Often times it takes several exposures to different foods before a child decides if they like them or not. And I mean several. As with the carrots and my child, it probably has taken a good year or two, but now she likes them.

Also, don't be afraid to let your child help you in the kitchen. My children love to cook with me, and I've read numerous times that in itself will help get kids interested in foods.

Some things that my children love to eat that are healthy are, Cold Veggie Pizza (Make a pizza crust with crescent rolls and bake, then mix some softened cream cheese with a little ranch dressing mix and spread over crust. Cut up various veggies really small....broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green pepper, and green onion, or what ever you like, and press into the cream cheese), Apple wedges served with peanut butter and raisins, kind of like ants on a log...You could do it with celery too, and Italian Wedding soup (has little meatballs, carrots, spinach and noodles in a chicken broth)....they eat some of the noodles and meatballs then I give them a straw for the broth and they get the spinach that way.

Hopefully this has given you a few good starting points. Good luck to you and your family.

Answer 4

tortillas with deli meat wrapped inside or PB and J iside also. Cut up apples with Peanutbutter/Honey dip. homemade sweet potato chips. Homemade trail mix..popcorn, peanuts, raisins, and chow mein noodles.
Sometimes if you call s food by some silly name they are inclined to eat them more often..for instance my son WILL NOT for anyreason eat brocolli.....but, he sure loves his "trees".

Answer 5

go to kraftfoods.com they have great ideas