KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

My daughter refuses to eat anything that is remotely healthy for her. Any suggestions?

Posted November 19, 2013 - 10:18am
She won't touch anything green, no matter how many times we put it in front of her. She's very picky, only likes things like chicken nuggets, plain pasta, etc. Any advice or video recommendations?
15 posts / 0 new
Last post

MichelleQ
Join the club. Ugg. Have you tried any of the recipes from The Sneaky Chef or Jessica Seinfeld? Both have good cookbooks with ways to sneak veggies into meals. Also- I looked for videos on this topic b/c we're dealing with it with my almost-3-year-old, and thought this one was really good: http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/videos/parenting-advice-on-picky-eaters-an... Same expert has a few other videos that I found really assuring about this topic.

Brittany Evans
Try a negotiation. Dedicate one day of the week and make that the "junk food" day. In a sense, get her to try to pick out things that are healthy herself, and tell her she can have the chicken nuggets on "junk food" day if she tries celery and peanut butter, fruit, or other vegetables the other days.

SuperDuperMom

Some kids are just picky and you can't change that. One thing my father always did when I was growing up was he wouldn't let me or my brother leave the table if we didn't finish everything on our plates. I find this to be a little militant and I don't think I would do this with my own two kids. The more times you present a picky eater with something new, the more familiar that food gets to be for them (meaning its less threatening). Once the food isn't brand new to them, they will feel more comfortable eating it. This will happen over time. In the meantime, consider something like gummy vitamins (taste good and are healthy) as an alternative to your child eating healthy foods.


CraigK

You can also try and sneak it in around other foods.  Sure, no kid likes broccoli, but if you can find a way to cook it that it doesnt smell liek broccoli, that might help as well.  Or you can always serve chicken fingers AND Broccoli.  I kid, I kid.  It's all about trying to get them into a routine of it though. 


DanaP

My family uses two main strategies. The first is the 'no, thank you' bite. If your child absolutely hates something on their plate, they don't have to eat all of it. They do, however, have to eat one, decent sized 'no, thank you' bite before finishing. The second is that we don't cater to our kid's picky habits. I cook one healthy, balanced dinner every night. If they don't like what I cook, then they can have a 'no, thank you' bite and finish. However, I don't make them anything else. This approach has changed my children from picky eaters as toddlers to tolerant foodies at teens. You want to build habits in your child so that when they go out to dinner at someone else's house or in a restaurant, your child doesn't offend someone or limit themselves by not eating food. 


SuperDuperMom

wow- the no, thank you bite is GENIUS. Can't wait to try this with my kids if they start to get picky. I feel like it also just fosters a respectful relationship where you as a parent recognize that they have boundaries but you want the child to recognize that it is disrespectful to not eat something someone has worked hard to prepare for him.


Your Kid's Table

The no-thank you bite, works for lots of families, which is great. But, as a feeding theapist I have seen it go awry many times. If your child is significantly selective, seems sensitive to textures, or gags you will want to avoid this.


sunnykathleen

Hi, I highly recommend Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook called Deceptively Delicious. Its a great way to sneak in veggies and fruit!


Frugal Minded M...

Keep offering it to them.  I've heard it can take dozens of attempts but eventually they will eat it and like it.  Don't give up.


Your Kid's Table

Yes! As a pediatric OT that specializes in feeding, I totally agree!


Your Kid's Table

I'm actually a feeding therapist, and let me say as the other's did- you are not alone! Veggies actually taste really bitter children. The best tips: keep offering, try dips, have them help you cook, prepare in different ways (think breaded broccoli), and allow them to explore. Kids will often do better when they've had the chance to touch and smell foods. I have a ton more info here: www.YourKidsTable.com


pollywog515

I have a Two year old and have found the most significant motivation for her to try anything is to have it on my plate and see me enjoying eating it.  


TheresaBGlass

I am facing the same problem. My daughter is also very choosy. She doesn't like anything which is healthy. She is overweight because of it.


jordan_smith35

Try covering your salad with some delicious dressing, it's better to eat it like that than not to eat it at all.Also, you should cook with her, if she makes something or just help in making something she's more likely to eat it. Atleast that was the case with my kids.