I don't have kids....Do they only eat pizza?

I don't have kids either, but visiting kids always get whatever I'm having. They're not aliens that need specialist food, and none of them have refused point blank to eat yet. A lot of the time they've really enjoyed the food AND enjoyed being treated like adults and being given "grown up" stuff like Asian dishes or sushi. Maybe I've just been lucky.

If they're hungry, they'll eat, specially as it's clear that I only hand out "treats" if they have eaten a proper meal. If they haven't eaten all of their meal and they say they're hungry, they have to go make a sandwich.

None of their parents have complained yet. My SIL used to say things like "They won't eat that at home" or "They won't get their own drinks at home" to which I had to bite my tongue and try not to roll my eyes...

What I'm trying to say, is don't underestimate them.

You would be amazed, my 5 and 4 year old LOVE lettuce with all the bright tomatoes, carrots, etc...and ranch dressing on it.

They think they're eating like a grown up I guess. OH....iceberg and romaine lettuce, I can't quite get them to to mixed greens. They don't like the purple leaves.

The Spawn are 16 and 9. The 16 yo is 6 ft tall and almost 200 lbs. Not worried about it his father is 6'1 and his uncles are 6'5. If given the option he'd eat only meat. The 9 yo is 4'5 and under 60 lbs. He's my vegetarian wannbe.

Half the trick of feeding kids is just making it fun. I know you said you don't eat pork but you may be able to substitute something.

"Ham and Trees"

Steam some broccoli steams. Place two steams in the center of a slice of deli ham, wrap the ham around the broccoli (like a burrito) - the "tree" will stick out the ends. Secure with a toothpick. Sprinkle cheese (we use a Mexican blend). You can eat them like this or but them on a cookie sheet and in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

"Glop"

Brown Hamburger, drain, add a can of tomato sauce and 2 cups of dried pasta. Cover and simmer until pasta is cooked. You can add other spices as desired to perk it up. About 20 minutes.

"Taco mess"

Prep all the ingredients as if to make tacos. Put each in a dish. Let the kids "make their own". Note: My youngest loves this because he'll take 1/2 a soft shell and tear it up for a base. Then he can load up the rest of the plate with tomatoes and other items. This can also be adapted for salad items. If they make it themselves then they are picking what they like instead of being told "you must have". It's also a great time for an impromptu lesson on portions and appropriate size meals.

"Mom's Stir-fry"

Take a protein and several veggies. Cook the meat through, toss in veg until they are cooked the way you like them, add a teaspoon of Teriaki and/or Soy (Substitute Worchesire for a less Asian flavor) and some garlic (other herbs as desired). Serve over rice. Great thing about this is that works for almost anything - just pick the veg that the kids like, and it's only one pot (unless you don't have a rice cooker).

never understood the what doe kids eat thing. growing up we ate the same as everyone else. My family is still like this. The only exceptions are honey for babies and toning down anything too spicy. As long as they can fit it in their mouths they should be fine. Most kids like chicken, veggies and fruit. Dipping sauces are big too. Honey mustard, tangy yogurt, etc...

Apples, kiwis, strawberries. I stopped buying chips and get them pretzels. Yogurt is another one. As for dinner, maybe pasta with lean hamburger, lots of sauce to possibly hide the color of the whole wheat pasta. I don't remember if you said no to fish but bake that and give them fish sticks and baked fries with green beans maybe jello for dessert

LOL!! I have 4 kids who eat well, but babysat two kids once who only ate PB&J and spaghetti-O's!! I made an awesome lasagne and they wouldn't touch it!!

Kids are funny creatures, though. You just never know what they might eat. Fruit is usually a good choice and spaghetti is usually a hit. Sometimes if you just arrange the food on the plate in a fun way (make it look like a face or something) they LOVE it. And sometimes, if you let them help make the dish, they'll be more likely to eat it. My kids are all different and their tastes change constantly. My son eats most meats, spaghetti with tomato sauce, some veggies but no potatoes (even fries) but he'll eat yellow and orange bell peppers raw. He's my pickiest eater. My daughter likes spaghetti with a little butter and parmasean cheese but won't touch it with tomato sauce. Go figure...

Anyway, I would stick with something healthy if you can. You might just stumble upon a food they've never tried and LOVE. )

Oh, I just read again that they are older kids - smiley faces on the plate probably won't work! LOL How about a vegetarian lasagne? Do you grill? You can do shish kabobs with different kind of meats and veggies.

Try some grilled turkey burgers w/ some mac-n-cheese.

The turkey burgers on the grill are a long way from "chicken", taste great and can be "customized to their liking with condiments / cheese, etc.

And I never met a kid that did not like mac-n-cheese but I'm sure some chips on the side would work as well. Baked chips would do better.

No, they do not. Kids anything regular people eat; they are just a mini version of adults. My son is picky but still eats of other things like chicken of any sort (NEVER frozen chicken nuggets, gross) lots of dairy and fruit. He's not a big veggie person but I slip it in where I can.

Also, I am not a short order cook. If my son does not eat what I cook, then he doesn't eat, period. He will not let himself starve so eventually he eats and most days like a little piggy. He's 2.5 but understands that what mommy cooks is all he is getting. DH and I have made a total lifestyle change and I am not about to have junk in my house for a kid just so he can "have a good time." Eating junk does not equal a good time. It equals fat, lazy kids. Harsh yes but I have a step son who is like this so I see the results of $hitty parenting and $hitty eating habits.

Make healthy, good food fun. A lot of good suggestions already.

Sorry but you can't let them dictate your food options in your house, even if they are not your children.

I assume you don't have any really unhealthy snacks in the house, so they should remember your house your rules

so they sit down to dinner with you and partner and eat what they are given, if they won't even try it, then let them go go without.

They will soon realise you won't give in, they will eat or go hungry, you could if you feel guilty offer one alternative but don't give into their picky choices, they will learn to accept it.

I have two girls ages 4 & 2 and given a choice they would eat chips everyday even though they have never had them more than one a week!
But they will happily eat anything I put in front of them, they have even asked for Liver & Bacon when in a restuarant and fought over brussel sprouts as one ate the other ones when not looking!
they have simple rules if they haven't finished all of dinner no desert or puddings etc.
If it is something they are not keen on they always have a desertspoonful as a "No Thank you" portion (kids need to try something about 10-15 times before they will like it once over age of 2)
we never have chocolate until after lunch.

good luck

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/healthy-baked-chicken-nuggets.html

My kids eat what I eat. I eat healthy food. Ergo, my kids eat healthy food.

My sis has a hard time getting my niece to eat anything. So one day, we left a plate out with fresh fruit, nuts, cubes of cheese, and veggies. By the end of the day, the kids had snacked away everything. There wasn't one thing on the plate that we wouldn't eat.

If it's out, they'll eat it. My kids love grape tomatoes, red bell peppers, and carrots with hummus. Kids won't starve themselves.

Or, if you must do a pizza, make a build-your-own on an whole wheat english muffin with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and fresh veggies. They'll eat it because they made it.

I have a 2 year old and from my experience with other children including my siblings when they were little (my sister is 13 years my junior, my brother 14 years) is that it has a lot to do with how they learn about food at a young age. My bro and sister was in the kitchen with me at 3 years old helping to prepare every meal. They gained an appreciation for food. Of course kids are always going to like candy and pizza (who doesn't like pizza?) but if you involve them in the process instead of just trying to get them to eat something the results are pretty awesome.

As I said, I have a 2 year old and he will eat just about anything I make for dinner. He doesn't get candy or a lot of sugar. He loves green beans and carrots!