My daughter used to be the easiest eater. Until she turned 2, meals were fun! She would eat whatever tasty, creative, cultural dish I conjured up! Now.... it's toast, waffles, strawberries, and blackberries. (Also, why did no one warn me how expensive the berry habit is for kids?! It seems like all toddlers and kids eat berries like they're going out of style and it gets very expensive very quickly!)
So, to make mine and your meal times easier with picky eaters, I created this picky-eater-approved guide to snacks and meals! I hope your little ones enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it!
1. Apples and Pretzels!
The sweet and salty combination of these two snacks is always a winner! Bonus points if your kiddo will eat peanut butter or hazelnut spread with these for protein!
2. Homemade lunchables!
I love these as a snack because even with a picky eater, I try to be health conscious. The flexibility of this lunch idea is endless; you can use any kind of cracker or even goldfish! You can use a plant-based cheese for dairy-sensitive kiddos, grapes as the fruit, oranges, or substitute with a veggie like peppers or carrots. The protein section could be pepperoni, ham, turkey, or even a cut of hot dogs! The treat, or if you choose to add one, is totally up to you, too! We usually give my 2.5-year-old chocolate chips.
3. Banana Oatmeal Pancakes!
My whole family adores these, but I feel especially great about serving them to my picky toddler. This tasty breakfast option is super simple and can be batch-prepped and frozen for a healthy breakfast option on busy mornings.
The ingredients are rolled oats, eggs, bananas, cinnamon, and milk! If your family is conscious of sugar, you can top them with jelly or honey instead of syrup, too.
You can find step-by-step instructions to make this delicious dish here!
4. Satisfying Smoothies
This is my go-to for when my daughter is sick or being extraordinarily picky. I can feel good about the ingredients and she will down them with no complaints!
Her favorite smoothie consists of vanilla Greek yogurt, strawberries, bananas, and honey. I serve them in a simple Take & Toss cup and she's good to go!
You can find more smoothie combinations here.
5. Ham and Cheese Sliders
This is a family favorite and SO EASY. All you need is ham, cheese of choice (we use Swiss!), butter, slider rolls (I think my household could single-handedly keep Kings Hawaiin in business), and poppy seeds. Poppy seeds are not necessary but add a nice touch!
Use a bread knife to cut the entire portion of rolls in half, layer ham and Swiss, and bake covered at 350 for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Then uncover, brush with butter, and put the pan back in the oven uncovered at 450 until the top just begins to brown.
Cut and serve!
6. Mini pizza
Kids love pizza, and making mini pizzas can be a fun and interactive activity for them. Use whole wheat English muffins or tortillas, tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of toppings like sliced veggies or turkey pepperoni.
7. Fruit kabobs
Skewer a variety of fresh fruits like strawberries, pineapple, grapes, and melon for a colorful and healthy snack. Remember how I ranted about berry prices earlier? I’ve also added raspberries and blackberries to these, too! You can find loads of cute tooth-pick skewers on Amazon with your little’s favorite characters or animals.
8. Chicken nuggets
Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? Even as an adult, I am thrilled inside on chicken nugget night in our house. But most store-bought options are loaded with unhealthy ingredients. Make your own by coating chicken breast strips in whole wheat breadcrumbs and baking them in the oven.
9. Trail Mix
This is such an easy, no-mess, on-the-go snack. For my toddler, I combine Cheerios, yogurt-covered raisins, chocolate chips, goldfish crackers, and some kind of dried fruits. We alternate between freeze-dried strawberries, bananas, and apple slices. Store it in a freezer bag to keep it fresh!
10. Raviolli Casserole
Kids and ravioli just mesh for some reason. This time-saving ravioli casserole is perfect for busy nights and picky littles!
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