The Picky Eater Project

22/08/2023

Oh goodness!! My mouth is watering as I’m posting this recipe that I will be making again later this week! Every time I make it, it’s a huge hit! Why is JP complete in this recipe? It adds plant powder nutrients, protein, and fiber, and yumminess!

And it’s easy!! 🙌

07/06/2022

Waffle night!

28/04/2022

It's National Picnic day... grab a blanket and some favorite snacks and go out for a picnic.

Sometimes the dinner table can feel like a battle ground. Change it up and take the fam out for a picnic.

25/04/2022

It's true...Kids love helping in the kitchen. What's a recipe you make with your kids...?

20/04/2022

What if your kids stopped themselves from eating crap foods.

Well, we love this "TRAFFIC LIGHT EATING" print out to help kids "get it" for themselves.

For the younger kids you could get your weekly grocery flyer and let them cut out red light, yellow light, green light foods.

The goal is to help THEM begin to choose wisely. Because we know kids like to do most things for themselves.

Thoughts??

18/04/2022

When we spoke with food therapist Lauren Breeden, she reminded us that sometimes it's just a matter of having multiple exposures and TIME for a child to try new foods. (32 times in fact!) We were pretty blown away to find out how many times a child sometimes has to be exposed to a new food for them to like it.
Don't give up...! Your families health is worth it!

13/04/2022

Get your kids in the kitchen and let them play and be around food. Children learn best (and even taste best) by being around the kitchen and a part of the preparations.

What meals did you help prepare when you were growing up?

12/04/2022

How old were you when you first became a mother?

11/04/2022

Our fam has fallen in love with these easy fun breakfast banana boats. Put all the toppings out and let the kids build their own "boats." So fun and filled with good stuff.

Topping options:
yogurt
blueberries
blackberries
strawberries
raspberries
slivered almonds
granola

Share your boat pictures with us! :)

05/04/2022

Describe your parenting style with a GIF.

29/03/2022

QUICK! Where is the best place to hide from kids when you need a break?

24/03/2022

Oh we just couldn't help but post GREEN EGGS and HAM for our story time suggestion for St. Patrick's Day.

May the luck of the Irish be in your corner today!

22/03/2022

Confess: Which kids' show do your kids watch that you LOVE?

16/03/2022

One way to help your picky eater is to give them some time to help in the kitchen.

Pick a day together on the family calendar when they can plan the menu.

Post a pic of your meal...let's share some

15/03/2022

When you have an hour without kids, what is one thing that you would do?

10/03/2022

We've all been there and gotten advice from some well meaning friend or relative who was concerned about our picky eater...

So-- How can you deal with those backhanded comments about how your child eats?

Remember to focus on the big picture: you want to help your kids feel safe exploring food without any outside pressure (which could potentially impact their relationship with food negatively.)

So when unsolicited comments or well meaning "advisors" question you or your kids about their eating habits, don’t be afraid to interject.

My go to comeback has been to politely share how my child is learning to eat.

For example, if someone says

“Try this, it’s so good for you!”

“Don’t you need to eat more, you hardly touched your food!”
..try responding with something along the lines of:

“Thank you for your concern. He’s doing just fine learning to eat on his own terms.”

OR:

“She’s enjoying learning about what foods feel best in her body. Do you know what else she’s enjoying now, too?”

And then change the subject. :)

Or talk about other things your child is interested in that aren’t food related.

By supporting your kids in this way, you’re also protecting safe spaces for them to learn about food on their terms.

Anyone been there??

08/03/2022

Mom guilt anyone?

Having a picky eater is very common. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Let's all encourage each other and keep on feeding our families as well as we can.

We are thinking of bringing a guest speaker into our private FB group that specializes in food therapy. Interested?? Comment "me" below.

08/03/2022

When was the last time your child threw a tantrum and why?

04/03/2022

Another great book idea for you guys!

Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater.

Don't you know that separated plate on the cover is a big part of a happy eater too! If food is touching it can be a deal breaker!

Anyone else's kids like that!?

03/03/2022

Today is world wildlife day...

Make some fun "wildlife" sandwhiches -- Get out some bread, strawberries, blueberries and greens and let them recreate our wildlife lunch plate.

Having fun in the kitchen can take some of the stress of picky eating away.

Thoughts??

01/03/2022

What's the funniest thing your kid has said recently?

22/02/2022

This is our CutiePie Juice - just juice 2 carrots and 3/4 cuties for a sweet healthy take on store bought Orange Juice which is often full of sugar.

What do you all think...
Would your picky eater try this??

If you do buy OJ look for organic and try adding a little water to the juice to reduce the sugar intake.

22/02/2022

Using only Gifs: How are your kids making you feel right now?

18/02/2022

From our poll this week - we have a lot of picky eaters that eat less than 10 different foods a week.

Here's an idea... this weekend set out something new (for them) on counter...with no strings attached.

Then...YOU eat it and just enjoy whatever it is. Comment on how good it is and how much you enjoy the flavor. Ask your child if they would like to touch it, smell it, maybe even stick their tongue out to try it. That's it...

I always ask... "I wonder if you've grown any new taste buds lately?"

Noah, my 5 year old grandson was amazed that he actually liked over easy eggs... I made myself breakfast and asked him he he'd like to try them. He said... "I don't like eggs!" (he hates scrambled eggs.)

I said, "it's okay. This is my breakfast. You don't have to eat this if you don't want to. Want to just try it??"

He tried my over easy eggs and he was so excited he liked them served over easy. He said... "I have new taste buds! I have new taste buds!!"

He now asked me for over easy eggs when he's here...even for dinner.

He still will not eat scrambled eggs...or eggs ANY other way. Hard boiled is completely out of the question for him.

Let us know how it goes.

Sometimes baby steps is what it takes.

15/02/2022

What type of chores do you have your kids do?

15/02/2022

Sometimes picky eaters just don't want any of their food touching. And they really get triggered when their food isn't fresh!

Here's 4 Tips for Keeping Fruits🍓 Fresh in your Kid’s Lunchbox

Ever had your kid come home from school and say, "Mommy, I didn't like my lunch. The food you gave me was smooshy, extra wet, and gooey." 😝😬 yup! I have! LOL!

It’s no secret that fruits are very important in kid’s overall development! My go-to fruit in lunch boxes is grapes! How about you? But variety can be good, but you may not be so certain how to pack those berries, or sliced apples, or fresh whole pear in their lunch. Look no further! The ooey gooey mess won't be part of your kid's lunchbox experience! Just follow a few of these simple and helpful tips for fresh and delicious fruit for your child! 😁🙂

1. 🍎Keep apple slices crisp

Soak your apple slices in a solution of 1cup of cold water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice for 3-5 minutes. Then drain/rinse them and pack in an airtight container and you’re good to go.

2. Wrap whole fruit in cloth🍐

If you don't want to slice the apple ahead of time, feel free to pack the entire fruit! Round fruit (like whole apples🍎, peaches🍑, nectarines or pears🍐) can be packed whole and wrapped in a dry cloth or paper towel. Make sure to tie the top of the cloth with a knot or rubberband the paper towel around the fruit, so it fruit does not go get bruised when it rolls around in your lunch bag.

3. 🍓Keep strawberries fresh🍓

The best way to transport strawberries is to leave them washed and whole. This way, the strawberry can stay fresh longer. A friend of mine also suggested placing a dry paper towel underneath the berries which absorbs extra juice, which keeps the berries fresher for a longer period of time.

4. 🍌Prevent bananas from browning

Banana is a very common and nutritious fruit. Most of the time when we send banana in lunch box it becomes brown. A way to save your bananas is to add plastic wrap to the stem. This will prevent it from getting ripe way too quickly. Throw it in your kid’s lunchbox and you are all set🍌

And finding ways to compartmentalize their food goes a long long way too!

14/02/2022

Happy Valnetine's Day

Here's a sweet idea

Sometimes fights at the dinner table can make children feel bad about themselves.

Cover your child's door with love notes and words of encouragement and then take them all down and read them at the dinner table.

What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines Day as a family.

For added fun have your children write out some love notes for Mom and Dad and/or brother and sister too!

12/02/2022

True story --

Sometimes we just have to speak their language!!

What's your biggest picky eater challenge??

11/02/2022

Here's a cute little cookbook we found that that has fun recipes that are kid approved.

Often when a child helps prepare their food in the kitchen they are more apt to trying it at the table.

10/02/2022

Here's another cute idea for your Valentines. These are so pun-y :)

Free print out

09/02/2022

Here's some cute Valentine ideas that don't have any sugar added!

I think you're exSTRAW special!

You blow me away Valentine!

You color my world!

So cute and so easy!

08/02/2022

Talk about sugar rush! Who knew there was so much sugar in all these favorite candy bars. And check out the Valentine graphic too. For every 4 little candy sweet hearts our kiddos are getting a teaspoon of sugar. That adds up fast!

There are lots of options for celebrating and having fun with our kids during the holidays without filling them up with sugar!

Because sugar isn't just linked to cavities. Nancy Appleton, PhD author of the book Lick The Sugar Habit says --

Sugar causes food allergies

Sugar can contribute to eczema in children

Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement

Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement

Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect school children's grades and cause learning disorders.

Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves which can alter your mind's ability to think clearly

Sugar is an addictive substance

Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Just to name a few...

We'll share some ideas for celebrating Valentines Day without sugar tomorrow!

08/02/2022

Studies have shown spikes in sugar intake suppress your immune system. NOT GOOD! Especially these days!

When your immune system is compromised, you are more likely to get sick. If you eat a lot of foods and beverages high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, which the body processes as sugar, you may be reducing your body's ability to ward off illness.

Our kids are especially tempted during this holiday season to splurge on candy and sugary sweets. Valentines parties are coming up.

Look at the labels - 4 grams of sugar = 1 tsp sugar

10 teaspoons of sugar are in just 1 soda. And some have has many as 22 teaspoons of sugar in one bottle.

What are some ideas you all are implementing as alternatives to all the candy, cookies, cupcakes and sweets??

We've found some good ideas we'll share with you too!

07/02/2022

07/02/2022

26/01/2022

“This much delicious” is the only way I’m rating food from here on out.

Credit (twitter.com/alixeharrow)
Via Sarcastic Mommy