Cooking ideas for a picky child?

Answer 1

What does this picky child like to eat? There are all kinds of ways to introduce new foods....but I need to know what he/she DOES like.
Helpful idea.....have them help in preparing the food and they will eat it when everyone says how great it is.

Answer 2

For lunch you could try making mini pizzas.

Just toast one English muffin, and spread on some pizza sauce. Shred some cheddar cheese over top and melt in microwave for thirty seconds.

You could even make a simplified bruschetta.

Toast a bagel or an English muffin. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise overtop. Next, sprinkle on some basil, and oregano. Add a single slice of tomato and sprinkle some grated cheddar cheese overtop. Microwave for thirty seconds to melt cheese.

Both are so good!

Answer 3

I have to agree with most everyone else-don't let the child manipulate you. I had a nephew who was the fussiest eater and now he eats everything.

Answer 4

You can hide diced/minced/shredded veggies in chilli, mashed potatoes, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, hamburgers and meatloaf.

You can make a somewhat healthier grilled cheese sandwiches by using tortillas instead of white bread.

Answer 5

BAGEL SMILES

Whole wheat bagels
1/4 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch dressing
1/4 cup whipped cream cheese
FACE DECORATION IDEAS:
American cheese slices
Asparagus spears
Shredded cheddar cheese
Shredded carrots
Red bell peppers
Raisins
Broccoli florets
Canned beans (black, garbanzo, pinto)
Grape tomatos
Split bagels in half; lightly toast.

Mix Ranch dressing and cream cheese in small bowl; spread even amounts of mixture over each bagel half. Use imagination to assemble faces. Example: Cut American cheese into a shape of hat, bell pepper strips for a scarf, raisins for eyes, shredded carrots or broccoli florets for hair.

Answer 6

I don't mean for this to sound cruel,but you're setting yourself up to be a personal chef/slave forever.Think back to when you were a kid,we ate what was provided for us,there were no options,and we have fond memories of that food.It may be hard at first,but try and be strong,or else you'll open up a whole life of the world revolves around me thinking for you child,trust me I know,I made the same mistake!

Answer 7

If the child is old enough to feed themselves (ie, three or four, or older) just dish up what everyone else is having, and if they don't eat it, they don't get anything else.

Why should you, the parent, have to go out of your way to make extra things for one child? If your cooking is good enough for you, it should be good enough for the child. Have some respect for yourself. You work hard. Why should you have to work harder because your child is manipulating you?

They'll eat when they get hungry.

For younger children, who may just not be hungry, try putting vegies in pastry (make little pasties) and put tomato sauce on them. Make things they can eat themselves. As long as they are eating a balanced diet, they will be fine. If there is something they aren't eating, sneak it into things. Veges in mashed potatoes, or milk powder in milk drinks etc.

If this all fails, put CHEESE on it. Most kids love cheese. Try a cheese spread like the ones they have in the spreads aisle at the supermarket.

Don't run yourself ragged. If they are just manipulating you, say no, and be firm. THey get what they are given. When they are older, they will then understand the reasons why you need to eat a balanced diet.

If they are refusing food because they don't like the taste/texture, don't give them anything else. They need to learn to appreciate what they have.

Answer 8

Pick their favorites then have them pick out the combos they want for that day. Make a schedule they say yes too. Then they have to help cook, clean & if they change their mind, they can't because they picked it out so they are stuck. It totally works. You have the hard part of sending them to bed without supper for 1 or 2 nights if they decide they refuse to eat because they don't like the new rules. Stick to your guns though. They then learn respect, appreciation for the cooking/cleaning part to get the food, and that it's hard work. They also learn the shopping & planning. These are necessary skills that even a 2 yr old gets. They will stop being as picky if they have to make something else & clean up because they won't want to do the work or go through the fuss or wait for the food!

Answer 9

Let them eat whatever you choose to cook.

Don't turn them in to uppity lords, bossing you around like a peasant servant.

It is your fault if they turn into picky little whiners. Stop enabling them, and they will start eating what is available.

That will not be willing to starve forever.

Answer 10

make colorfull foods these can be healthy like vegies or fruits make pigs in a blanket cut hot dogs up rool them in cersount dough then bake in oven kids love finger foods cheesy foods be creative i baby sit all the time and have lots of pickey kinds it allways woorks for me good luck to you :)