Do you have  a finicky eater in your household? I do and it can be really be frustrating especially when you’re trying to get them to eat something that isn’t chicken nuggets or macaroni & cheese – If you’re kids are like mine, then they’re just not going to eat most of what you put in front of them.  Children rely on their sense of sight and smell before they will even try to taste something. So if it looks funny or smells funky . – Good Luck, Mom! It’s not likely to happen anytime soon.

Most nights I relent and just give in to the chicken & mac dinner but I worry that the kids might not be  receiving adequate nutrition from his steady diet.  So, even though I throw in a yummy p b & j every so often I still think of creative ways to get the vitamins and minerals they need into their diet.

Here are few ways that I handle the meal-time dilemma:

Variation of The Same – In the case of a child who only eats a certain thing, like hot dogs, which are not the healthiest of foods, try substituting regular hot dogs with healthier low fat hot dogs made form turkey. The taste may be a little different at first, but visually they look the same as the others. So if they must eat them, at least this version is better for them. Try this with other foods as well, if all your child will eat is pasta, go for the whole wheat pasta’s that have Omega 3 and flaxseed in them, they will get more vitamins and minerals and less wasted calories.

Make Food Fun – The best way to get your child to eat healthier meals is to make the food fun for them to eat. By having him or her help you make their food and creating a fun game out of it, your child will be more interested in actually trying the food they created. You could also try making tasting new foods a fun game; do a blind taste test of vegetables and fruits, and include a sibling or friend to join along. If the child sees someone else wiling to try the foods, they will be more likely to do the same.

Give Them Their Own Space – Provide a low shelf or cupboard for your child to place their foods. Take them to the grocery store and help them pick out healthier versions of their favorite foods and allow them to put away their groceries in their own special place. They will feel like they have control over what choices they have and are more likely to eat the healthier versions because they helped choose them.

One At a Time – Incorporating a new food at each meal is the best way to coax your child into trying something new. Add a few pieces of a vegetable that they have never tried to the plate, they may just surprise you in trying it. Just don’t focus on that food, just place it on the plate and pretend like they already like it. Never force a child to clean their plate; the added pressure will have them refusing right off the bat. Let them make the decision about what they want to eat.

The main issue with a finicky child is making sure they get the adequate vitamins needed to grow strong and healthy. It is recommended to incorporate into their schedule a multi-vitamin so they get the vitamins they are lacking from food.

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