It is no secret that one of my daughters is the pickiest of eaters. I have shared it here in the past.
Over the years though, meal time has become a battle of the wills with her.
Even in Disney or the most happiest place on Earth, this picky child has given fight to what she’ll eat.
Take for instance at Cinderella’s Castle, we were enjoying a princess fulfilled meal.
Meeting Cinderella at her Castle was there most favorite part of Disney before dining…
When the waitress was taking our order, my girl noted that she wanted chicken nuggets and fries. The waitress kindly informed her that Cinderella (the princess) doesn’t eat fries only mashed potatoes.
Well, my picky eater proceeded to tell the waitress with a straight face, “This princess doesn’t eat mashed potatoes only fries!”
So, this how mealtime goes even in the fanciest or funniest places.
Over the years, I have learned some basics with my picky eater though that has helped some.
Therefore, I am happy to share 4 ways that have helped with our own picky eater below now…
1. Don’t make big deal of it.
First and foremost, I have learned not to make a big issue over her picky eater ways. In this way, I try very hard to play it down and not make her picky eater ways more than it is.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Don’t make a big deal + 3 more tips to deal with picky eaters #LunchablesOrganic #ad” quote=”Don’t make a big deal + 3 more tips to deal with picky eaters #LunchablesOrganic #ad” theme=”style1″]
2. Work with them.
On top of not making a big deal of it, I also try to find food that I believe my picky eater will indeed eat and enjoy.
In this end, I recently found Lunchables Organic for my picky eater at lunchtime. Lunchables Organic is a product that brings together the fun of Lunchables that my kids love with the Organic credentials that I can also feel good about.
See while there’s plenty in our day-to-day where my kids and I may not see eye to eye, Lunchables Organic is something we can both agree on. Plus, Lunchables Organic contains USDA certified organic, no artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.*
Lunchables Organic can be found at local Targets, Krogers, Meijers, even select Albertsons and Safeways, too.
3. Talk it up.
When I do find foods, such as Lunchables Organic that I do believe my little picky eater will eat, I make sure to share just how excited I am that we try it as a family.
This excited chatter has a way of being contagious in helping to build further excitement and intrigue for my picky eater.
4. Eat it too!
Talking up is one thing, but actually eating it, too is another. See I once was also a picky eater as a child. So, I remember thinking how unfair it was that I was told to eat something that I didn’t think I’d like. But it helped to see my parents eating the foods that they were trying so hard to get me to eat at the very least.
In that way, if I make something that I am hopeful my picky eater will enjoy, I make sure to eat some of it myself, as well. I mean like with Lunchables Organic, what is not to love eating with their pizza variety. As I happen to love pizza and wasn’t a stretch for me to eat and enjoy, too!
How could I resist this adorable pizza lunchables person made just for me by my picky eater!
So there you have it help for even the pickiest of eaters!
*See back panel of any Organic Lunchables item for ingredients used to preserve quality.
Do you have a picky eater?
How do you deal with your picky eater?
Have you eaten Lunchables Organic with your picky eater?
Now, tell me in the comments…
Seana Turner says
I had a picky eater. Pasta, peanut butter, canned green beans and white grape juice. We ate a lot of those. Now she is grown and eating everything known to man, including green juices I wouldn’t touch:)
Janine says
Aw, this definitely gives me so much hope for my little picky eater, Seana!! 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
My kids’ picky eating EXHAUSTS me, so thanks for these tips! Will take any help I can get!
Janine says
Aw, so happy to help as I am with you on this more than words can even express!!
William Holland says
No foo-foo discussions when I was growing up, and I was probably pickier than your daughter…no veggies for me, and my dad said fine, sit there until you eat them. I sat there for four hours one night, finally ate the veggies, end of the drama. LOL
Have a great weekend, Janine!
Janine says
Bill, I always had to at the very least try new food. So, my folks were definitely stricter on this than I am, but maybe not as strict as yours. Still times they are a changing! Have a great weekend, too now Bill!! 🙂
Mary says
I love all these tips! My sister was a picky eater and still is 🙁 I ate everything, while I do not eat everything anymore I still happy I didn’t stress my Mother out at dinner time. My sister had that covered.
Janine says
Mary, my younger girl and your sister sound so similar. My older and you are more alike as she really will eat just about anything. So I guess there always has to be one in the family 😉
Laura Dennis says
For the most part, kids outgrow their picky eating. (Still waiting on one of my children who is 18 and barely eats anything green)! This is the same kid who took a yogurt cup and 2 pieces of bacon to preschool for lunch. My sister, who is now somewhat of a foodie, took lunch meat turkey (no bread) and a baggie of olives to school everyday. I think she may have the last laugh when she lives healthily to 150.
Janine says
Aw, Laura I hope mine does outgrow this. But until then I do all I can to work around it with her. Glad to know she isn’t the only one though 😉
Leah says
I have a few picky eaters and I do see one of them getting a bit better with age. I was super picky so there’s hope!!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Leah for giving some much needed hope to me on this 🙂
Rosey says
I have the world’s pickiest eater in my house. Like you, I try not to make a big deal of it, but everyone else around us does, often (phft). They’ll outgrow it, and if they don’t, they’ll learn to find nutritious foods they do love…it all works out. 😉 LOL on the mashed potatoes. My son won’t eat those either. I didn’t know Lunchables had an organic version. Awesome!
Janine says
Rosey, I am so not sure what it is about mashed potatoes and my picky eater. But glad to know it isn’t just her 🙂
Jen says
Great tips! I have 2 picky eaters and 2 emerging vegetarians! That makes feeding everybody hard some days, but I am pretty sure all of my crew are BIG fans of Lunchables!
Janine says
Aw, I know picky or not all here are fan of lunchables, too 🙂
Diane Roark says
Hey Girl,
I love reading about your picky eater. I think there is at least one picky eater in every family. My oldest son was only a meat and potatoes boy growing up. He will eat some vegetables now that he is a young adult. So, there is hope for your picky eater. He famous words have always been I am not eating that GIRLY food. I like meat and potatoes.
I am glad to see that they make healthier Lunchables. They look good and good for you.
Have a great weekend!
Diane
Janine says
Aw, your comment made me smile and thank you for letting me know that there is hope 😉
Aunt Gloria says
I’m going to try that Lunchable Pizza! Looks good…..and so easy. Have a good week ahead! xxoo
Janine says
Yay and so glad you will try. Have a wonderful week ahead now, too!! xoxo 🙂
AnnMarie John says
I have a picky eater here too and I use these tips plus a few others. I don’t think I’ve seen the Lunchables Organics here in our supermarket but I’ll be looking out for them because Madison loves them.
Janine says
Aw, I hope you find them for Madison as if she is anything like my girls she will love them, too 🙂
catherine gacad says
I love these. So easy and fun. I’ve actually eaten them myself for convenience.
I have a different problem which is that my 3-year-old eats a whole variety of food, but I still have to feed him myself. #MommyFail, I have tried to get him to do it himself, but he is so slow and takes so long that he barely gets anything in. So I have to shovel the food into his mouth. And when he comes home from preschool and he’s barely eaten his lunch, I just want to cry!
Janine says
Aw, Catherine, he will get there I promise. I fed or helped my kids eat through the early pre-school ages myself. Little by little they got there. But the picky eating challenges still have us here sadly.
Tamara says
haha! I loved mashed potatoes AND fries.
If we’re being honest, I should say that I totally eat Lunchables. Organic ones?? Makes me so happy! My stomach is rumbling for them.
Janine says
My stomach is rumbling now, too! And might be a Lunchables lunch today after all here 🙂
Christine Carter says
I think we are all picky eaters to some extent- aren’t we? I mean, each of us likes different food for different reasons, and I love how you said not to make it a big deal. I totally agree! These were awesome tips, Janine!
Janine says
Thanks Chris and I agree making it not a big deal works wonders with the picky eater here for sure!
Bri says
My baby is totally picky and it’s so frustrating. These are really good ideas. Another one I try is to change up the presentation. Food is more fun to eat off a toothpick!
Janine says
Thanks Bri and great added tip, too 🙂