kid help

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'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.

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.

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~!

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.

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