kid help

no1belongs

ok i have a 4 year old and i wouldnt say she is super picky but i want to make sure i am meeting her needs when making dinners as well. if anyone can suggest some good recipes that work not only for me but for her as well i would greatly appreciate it.

bodyrollin

ok i have a 4 year old and i wouldnt say she is super picky but i want to make sure i am meeting her needs when making dinners as well. if anyone can suggest some good recipes that work not only for me but for her as well i would greatly appreciate it.

This is a topic that I think a lot of people get really twisted up about, and it's mostly because every parent doesn't want to upset their kid, and doesn't want to deal with the headache of fighting over what they'll eat...bottom line is this...as long as you have a consistent supporting cast (meaning there's not anyone else in the kids life that's sneaking them whatever they want) kids will eat whatever they're made to...I was made to try everything, and I'm greatful for that every day...I'm not saying I was a huge fan at the time, but it broadened my culinary appreciation and I'm better for it. So basically...don't make exceptions...the kid eats what you do.

Sorry if that's not what you were looking for, but it's what I'd recommend...anything else can lead to unhealthy eating habits later on.

Tracey0013

If you like eggs I use scrambled eggs that I add cheese and spinach to and my 4 year old eats them up I use the cheese sticks so it's only 70 cal a stick

jroselive2012

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I have a picky 3 1/2 year old boy. I have found recipes off allrecipes.com that he'll eat, like the whole wheat bran muffins. He went through a stage where he'd eat carrots like candy, and now he doesn't want any because he doesn't like em now. Eh. I know how frustrating it can be. I hope more people have ideas.

sevsmom

We try to make sure at least 1 item at dinner meats our pickiest's approval. For our youngest (6) he gets what we give him and has to eat at least 1 bite of "yucky" stuff. The older kids make their own plates, but they have to take a small (read MICRO) serving of whatever they find objectionable. Basically one bite, but they decide how big the bite is. LOL. . .We don't have a clean plate policy, but there's definitely no seconds on the stuff they like until they finish the stuff they don't.

We don't cook food specifically for the kids in mind. . .meaning no special recipes. When they're hungry enough, they'll eat! We're in the process of raising 5 kids, and not a one of them has gone hungry! Our oldest is 21, and in bootcamp right now. . . he misses his home cooked meals!!! LOL

luvp1nk

My five year old son and I eat a lot of turkey burgers, baked chicken, roasted potatoes and yams, steamed veggies. I have tried to make "hamburger helper" type things with some success.

vvanm

I never made food an issue with my kid. I just kept the junk out of the house and tried to set a good example by talking about making healthful choices. I would take her to a salad bar and let her make her own salad, trying different things she was curious about. Kids love cheese so sprinkling grated cheese on food helps too. Fruit salads are pretty and tempting, spaghetti sauce hides a lot of veggies, and peanut butter is always nutritious. Carrot and celery sticks with a yummy low fat dip is fun for them too.

zebisis

You can hide things like shredded carrot, squash, pumpkin, flax seeds, etc in muffins. You can also add squash to mac and cheese and it is "hidden". Try switching to whole grain pasta, or smart taste (Ronzoni). If your LO is really picky and wont do a full switch all at once, substitute 1/4 of the amount to begin with, next time do 1/2, 3rd time 3/4 and 4th time full whole grain or smart taste. Swapping out whole grain for "wheat" or white is a huge improvement as well. Just that a package of bread says "wheat" doesn't mean squat. Look at the ingredients, and look for "whole wheat" or "whole grain" as the first ingredient.
I also like to leave cut fruit and veggies out. My son will eat a whole piece of fruit if I cut it into bite sized pieces and give him a little appetizer fork. He thinks it is fun, and doesn't have to get sticky.
Red pepper slices are packed with vitamins, and have the touch of sweetness that makes them far more appealing to kids than the bitter green variety. I had to peel them until my kiddos were about 3 ish (they would choke on the skin). Same with apples.
Just simplifying the meals the the "grown ups" are eating can be a solution. If we are having a stir fry with chicken or shrimp, brown rice and veggies, keep some of the ingredients separate and serve them "not touching" on your LO's plate.
Having a healthy sauce to dip into makes eating white meat chicken or veggies more fun to eat, and can be the secret to getting kids to eat.
The biggest advice I can give though, and it is too late for many, but BEGIN AS YOU WISH TO CONTINUE. Meaning, don't let your kids get a taste for "bad foods". I know all too well- "just get something he will EAT! I don't want a scene!!" Kids won't starve themselves until you cave and give them crap!

I didn't taste a sugar cereal, pop tart or Little Debbie snack until I was over 8 years old.
We ate baked salmon, mashed red potatoes, salad or broccoli and carrots one day a week, mexican once a week (whole grain corn tacos, homemade black and pinto bean beans, NO meat, lettuce, tomato and avocado) . We also didn't eat any meat except fish, we were pescetarians.
And from what I heard, we barely had two nickels to rub together, but I never knew it as a kid.

It is a shame the types of food that are known as "kids menu" foods in the US. Chicken fingers, cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, plain white noodles, peanut butter and jelly on white bread, pizza... (no wonder so many kids want crap)!

And lastly- young kids do well with choices. "Do you want broccoli or carrots?" or "Would you like fish or chicken?" Or as my grandfather used to ask- "do you want turkey burgers or angle worms for dinner?" (So- you can always load the choices in your favor. LOL!) Just offering some sort of choice gives kids the feeling that they are somewhat in charge, and that can lessen the struggle.

Hope this all helps~!

ckish

It all starts with modeling good behavior and not screwing up their taste buds with happy meals and chicken nuggets. Have a variety of choices easily available. If my kids didn't like something I asked them what specifically they disliked. Even as babies I never force fed them something tht they didn't seem to like. Sometimes it is a texture thing - my daughter doesn't like steamed brocolli but eats it raw. Sometimes it is too spicy, etc. In the end - I didn't worry about the fact that they no longer liked carrots as long as what they were eating something nutritious. If they were particularly stubborn about it they helped themsleves to an apple or something else that was not a snack or dessert item and offer suggestions to make it more palatable in the future. We never forced them to eat something they didn't like as long as they had tasted it before and formed an opinion. If I were making something new for dinner I would only do it on Saurday not on a school night. So they could eat a good breakfast and lunch. Or I would make a small portion as a side dish paired with a meal they enjoyed. Such as introducing spinach lasagne when we were having spaghetti and meatballs. It took the pressure off because they new they were eating a favorite and just testing the waters on a new recipe. Respect went both ways. I respected their opinion and they did not make rude comments about the food they disliked. My kids learned to say "I hope you enjoy the brussel sprouts" as they passed it to someone at the table instead of "Eww that smells". Sometimes asking them to help make dinner is helpful. My daughter hated chili until the first time she helped make it and felt in control of the ingredients. For years my kids ate mac and cheese whenever my hubby and I had lobster. Then one day they tried it and our food budget increased. My husband says we didn't know how good we had it back then LOL.

lady_jessi

Oh my goodness. I am with you. My 6 year old is so picky. She has been since she was a baby. You're going to know your kid and her tastes better than us, but what I do is always try to include something I know my daughter likes into the meal. A vegetable, plain noodles set aside. A chicken breast with no salt or sauce added if I'm making a chicken dish. Ya' know little things that I can do to accommodate her. Maybe not everyone would do that and force them to eat the original dish, but meh, I don't mind doing it really.

no1belongs

ok i have a 4 year old and i wouldnt say she is super picky but i want to make sure i am meeting her needs when making dinners as well. if anyone can suggest some good recipes that work not only for me but for her as well i would greatly appreciate it.

This is a topic that I think a lot of people get really twisted up about, and it's mostly because every parent doesn't want to upset their kid, and doesn't want to deal with the headache of fighting over what they'll eat...bottom line is this...as long as you have a consistent supporting cast (meaning there's not anyone else in the kids life that's sneaking them whatever they want) kids will eat whatever they're made to...I was made to try everything, and I'm greatful for that every day...I'm not saying I was a huge fan at the time, but it broadened my culinary appreciation and I'm better for it. So basically...don't make exceptions...the kid eats what you do.

Sorry if that's not what you were looking for, but it's what I'd recommend...anything else can lead to unhealthy eating habits later on.

I am not looking to "make her happy" im looking to make sure her calorie needs are met as well as mine without exceeding mine or not giiving her enough. maybe i worded it wrong originally

no1belongs

If you like eggs I use scrambled eggs that I add cheese and spinach to and my 4 year old eats them up I use the cheese sticks so it's only 70 cal a stick

very good idea thanks my daughter loves eggs and so do i big staple for breakfast in my house lol. thank you very much

no1belongs

We try to make sure at least 1 item at dinner meats our pickiest's approval. For our youngest (6) he gets what we give him and has to eat at least 1 bite of "yucky" stuff. The older kids make their own plates, but they have to take a small (read MICRO) serving of whatever they find objectionable. Basically one bite, but they decide how big the bite is. LOL. . .We don't have a clean plate policy, but there's definitely no seconds on the stuff they like until they finish the stuff they don't.

We don't cook food specifically for the kids in mind. . .meaning no special recipes. When they're hungry enough, they'll eat! We're in the process of raising 5 kids, and not a one of them has gone hungry! Our oldest is 21, and in bootcamp right now. . . he misses his home cooked meals!!! LOL

Is good i guess that i may have miss wrote but my daughter isnt picky she eats what i give her one way or the other however i want to make sure i do not affect her growth by not offer enough or the proper amount of nutrients as her parent.

I have heard that bootcamp food is not good at all hope he does well in bootcamp ^_^

jess7386

Here is a recipe that I think kids would love:

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup panko
1/4 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional, omit if your kids dont like green things)
salt and pepper
1 1/4-1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, sautee olive oil over medium-low heat; as soon as it heats up, add minced garlic into the saucepan.


2. Being careful not to burn the garlic, after a few minutes, remove from heat and pour garlic olive oil mixture into a low flat dish, like a soup plate or pie pan.

3. In another low, flat dish, combine panko, parmesan, and parsley if using (some kids don't like green bits in their food, so feel free to leave out); add salt and pepper to suit your tastes.

4. Preheat oven to 400F; have ready a baking pan that's been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

5. Remove chicken tenderloin from breasts and leave whole, then cut breasts crosswise into strips.

6. Roll chicken pieces into garlic evoo mixture, then completely dredge in panko mixture; place on prepared baking pan.

7. Should you have any panko mixture left over when you are done, sprinkle over chicken strips; should you have any melted
butter left over, pour over chicken.

8. Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is just cooked through.

Serve this on its own or with some marinara sauce and whole wheat pasta for the chitlins