So what do the kids eat...?

2 Kids, 17 and 14. We'll cook dinner, and if there's a problem with what was cooked, the boys are welcome to grab a bowl of cereal for dinner. We will generally make one side just for the boys something like Knorr pasta sides.

I really relate and have not figured out a real solution yet. I only have a 15-year-old at home still, but she's always been my pickiest eater. I could come up with meals that we all can eat (my husband follows my healthy eating style) but it's not ideal for me. i.e. I could make chicken and lean meats and she'll eat all the salads I make. But I like to incorporate a lot more seafood almost every day and she doesn't like any seafood at all except occasional grilled salmon. I like to make vegetable stews and exotic soups, also a no-go.

I try to make sure there are some healthy, easy choices around for her that she can throw together herself, usually frozen. or I make two meals, which I hate. or I'll try to make one process work for two meals...like I'll roast vegetables for our dinner, but then I'll throw hers in with olive oil and garlic and make some pasta with it for pasta primavera. I don't eat pasta anymore; what's she supposed to do, give up all the foods she knows because I suddenly and radically changed my whole way of eating? Tonight we'll have burgers. Mine will be ahi on cloud bread. hers will be beef on regular whole-wheat hamburger buns. uh, not a lot in common there...just the avocado, lettuce and tomato we'll top them with.

I have five kids, there's no way in heck I'd do separate meals for anyone. Some of kids are very picky. We have some rules that we've used for a few years now that have served us well over the years. We don't put limits on veggies, however if you want seconds or if we're having a family night with some sort of treat, then you have to eat all your dinner (kid size portion) but we leave the choice up to them. I offer multiple choice for veggies if I can, usually a raw and a cooked because some kids will eat raw, some will eat cooked, it all depends. I don't worry if someone decides to skip dinner, it's their choice, but they need to sit with us as a family.

Over the years my kids have gradually widened the types of foods that they eat and for those busy crazy days where we do have pizza or chicken nuggets, I make sure there's lots of fresh good food offered on the table as well. My twins eat fresh sliced bell peppers like there's no tomorrow, lol.

We do put limits on cereal (breakfast only) so no one can try to live off of it (there's one that would). Overall I think we've done pretty good in setting our kids up to have a healthy relationship with food. We're still working on it though.

We eat family meals together. We do make some minor changes for the kids if there is a particular issue (our oldest hates tomato sauce), but we keep those pretty minimal. And to be honest, when our kids start commenting on a particularly "healthy" dish tasting gross, they're usually right. I just gave up on my many attempts with protein pancakes for this reason. IMO, food is meant to be shared and enjoyed and healthy doesn't need to taste bad, or require strange modifications to recipes.

^^^ This!

Why should they eat anything different? My girls eat what I eat. I mean let's face it, they see what others eat they have asked "when are we going to start eating like normal people" and when I asked them to elaborate, they replied "hot dogs, burgers, pizza from a box, noodles" my reply "NEVER!" Don't buy the crap, it's not there to consume. They will adjust!

You can also bake with your kids. This is how we provide snacks for school; mini muffins, cookies, granola bars.

We have to set an example. I spent my childhood obese; I don't want that for my kids.

It's hard - me, hubby, and 11 year daughter are ALL in different schedules so we rarely eat together. My hubby and I are dieting, but even our dieting strategy differs - he is LOW carb and I'm low calories. My daugther is a gymnast and works out 10+ hours/week at the gym, so we don't deny her anything. The bottom line - the grocery bill is HUGE for these 3 different diets!

My oldest is extremely picky, and has some mild sensory issues. For years I let things get worse and worse, until I was making separate meals for the kids: the adults ate healthy, balanced meals; the kids ate homemade mac & cheese or hotdogs or pb&j's. My husband was working nights and after a full workday myself, I just didn't have it in me to fight about it. When he switched back to days and was home for dinner, he declared it ridiculous (it was) and the separate meals stopped. It was HORRIBLE, for a couple weeks. When the kids realized that daddy was having none of it, and they could eat what we were eating or not eat, it pretty much stopped.

That being said, I do make sure that there's SOMETHING at every meal that the picky kid will willingly eat. She still has to eat a little of the stuff she doesn't love, though.

Note: this required the full support of both parents, and the change was NOT easy.

My kids eat healthy but my son who is 1 year old has severe reflux and sensitivity to textures so he is still on pureed food. My daughter eats what I eat, for the most part. Lots of veggies fruit and lean meat.

I have two young children (3 yrs and 20 months). While my oldest can pretty much eat everything that I eat, my youngest is still learning how to properly chew the uncooked veggies. To get their fruit and veggies in during the day, I give them fruit for lunch and cooked veggies for dinner. They don't always eat the veggies, but I give them the option. I RARELY give them chips or anything unhealthy like that (usually only at picnics or something like that). They love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread... Just make the changes for them as well... I find that canned fruit in 100% juice or fruit cups (100% juice) are good for the younger ones that are still getting a hang of chewing... I'm also pretty sure that they can handle quinoa (especially if they like pasta, they will like quinoa)

I am hoping once they are a bit older, like school age I can be more firm and then they'll be eating what is served.

I have been exactly where you are. Please, please trust me on this: it's so much easier to set the expectations when they're younger than to try to "fix" things when they're older. I KNOW it's easier to give in, 'cause I did it for years. But you're just setting yourself up for a MUCH bigger battle later. :flowerforyou:

I have been eating mostly non processed, higher protein, and loads of veggies for almost 3 years. My girls (11, 9, 3) used to eat anything I made, but the past year or so, they have become kind of picky. They get to eat crap food when they are with their dad, so they "get a taste for it" while with him. So...after fighting with them the past year, we have finally come up with some compromise. We take turns choosing what to have for dinner, but I will always make a healthy version of whatever they are requesting. Last night they wanted steak and mashed potatoes. I made them add two veggies (they chose green beans and brocoli) , grilled some lean elk steaks, and used almond milk and seasonings with non fat greek yogurt for the mashed potatoes. I added mushrooms and feta cheese for the steaks. They LOVED it and said it was a favorite. The night prior, they chose "chinese food", so I made chicken stir fry over brown rice. It was just veggies, chicken, and brown rice with a sauce consisting of spices, a small amount of sugar, and olive oil. Certainly nutritious and delicious. WIN! Healthy eating should be a family thing. My older kids can read a nutrition label and know the basics of what each macronutrient does for our bodies.It has taken a few years to instill interest and knowledge, but it was worth it! Good luck!!!