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This post is sponsored by CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Before having kids I was convinced my children would have a sophisticated palette. I mean, Chad and I have always been adventurous eaters. We weren’t going to change our eating habits for our kids. Nope!
For all of the parents in the room, you can totally eye roll and laugh with me now. Because the parent I thought I would be and the parent that I actually am? Those are two totally different people.
As babies, all three of our kids would actually eat anything and everything! But as they group from toddlers to preschoolers, they decided they only wanted ‘kid’ things. So I got creative.
Picky Eaters Will Be Picky Eaters
We make our kids try bites of foods they “don’t like,” but it often ends there. In my experience, creating a battle for the full length of a meal can be exhausting and lead to few results. I, for one, recall endless fights with my parents over my refusal to eat what they had prepared. I also recall having won those battles several times. It’s a battle of wills. And, guys… kids can be really strong-willed.
Beyond making them try the “gross” foods, we then allow them to have an alternative. I realize that this isn’t always a viable option. Preparing separate meals for the kids versus the adults can be exhausting, too.
Other Options
The good news is this — you have other options!
Mix it in!
I’ve come to love the option of pureeing vegetables, like carrots, and adding it to whatever I’m preparing. Our macaroni and cheese isn’t just any mac and cheese. It has pureed veggies in it! (Mom hack: You can sneak it in the boxed kind, too!)
If you don’t have the option to puree your own veggies, you can find dehydrated powder at the store to mix in.
Get creative with alternatives!
CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortillas have been a game-changer for our family. Since we are always on the go, we eat a lot of quick and easy meals like tacos and quesadillas.
My kids cannot tell the difference between a traditional grain tortilla and these CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortillas. They are vegan and dairy-freeand are available in both Original and Grain Free versions. And the best part? The first ingredient is cauliflower!
I picked up three bags from our local grocers freezer or refrigerated section, where I scored $2 off with this coupon! It’s also nice to know that they’re better for me, too. CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortillas contain less fat, fewer calories, and more fiber than traditional tortillas.
If they like it, give it to them!
My three-year-old has been on a near-hunger strike lately if she doesn’t get exactly the food she wants. But the one vegetable that she has decided she likes is brocolli. Sometimes her request for broccoli comes at breakfast.
My gut reaction was to say “no, we don’t eat broccoli for breakfast,” but I decided that if she wants it at 7:00 am, she can have it. So if your child is clinging to one vegetable, let them have it!
The Good News
The good news, friends, is that we all go through this phase. I went through it, my sister went through it, my husband went through it, and I’m sure his siblings did, too.
But it’s just that — a phase! Keep offering new foods, keep introducing new vegetables, and stay creative.
And don’t forget to save $2 off CAULIPOWER Cauliflower Tortillas by clicking here.
Nice. I have to work on this with my son. I’ll have to pick up these tortillas. I bet we’ll love them!
My youngest used to love raw broccoli when he was younger. He would always eat it all the time.
MY 3 year old will only eat broccoli lol but hey that’s something!
My kids have always enjoyed eating their veggie. However, the cauliflower tortillas sound like a great idea.
Mix it in was always how my mother did it, or she would make us sit there until we finished.
But the mixing it all together was by far the most successful.
I have the opposite problem with my daughter…… she eats all vegetables/ fruits/ rice/ grains/ nuts/ pasta/egg.
Although she likes it all separate and not mixed together,
As soon as I give her anything that normal kids would love (burger/fries/pizza/sausages) and the like. She is not interested!!
As a Food Blogger, I make some great dishes but she likes everything plain. I took her to see nurse. The nurse said she has a better diet then most kids!! lol
I am waiting for the day she will start eating my creations! She even helps me out, but still won’t eat it!
I had no issues with eating veggies as a kid and i am lucky that my kids love it as well. Great tips though. Thank you.
I havent seen this yet but I will be on the look out for sure! Do they have more of a corn tortilla texture?
Growing up I was an extremely picky eater especially when it came to vegetables. It takes time but slowly integrating them and giving new options into their meals will eventually lead to them loving them! Thanks for the tips! Great help.
I tried Cauliflower crusted pizza for the first time a few months ago and I was so shocked how amazing it tasted. I think powering anything with plants is a great idea and will motivate virtually anyone to consume more veggies. Great article.
This is so true! I definitely mix them in and try to hide them a bit!
This is perfect for my 5 year old son. He is super picky!
Mixing veggies in with other things is definitely the key! Thanks for these useful tips for picky eaters.
Oh I love the idea of a cauliflower tortilla! I love cauliflower pizza crust so I bet this would be good too!
Wow these food are really yummy my little brother he is so peaky especially for vegetables food I’m sure he would love this! Thanks for sharing
My kids were all picky eaters so I absolutely get it. Thankfully my son has outgrown it but my daughter is still a picky eater. It takes a lot of creativity to get her to eat certain things.
This is great, i do love this. I think every family have picky eaters among them. My sister is one and my parents tried so much to get her to stop but up till now she hast totally, and my brothers kids are doing the same too but their mom is really trying. i guess i should recommend this post to her.
Being creative and sneaking in foods into meals is great way to go around picky eaters. These were great tips, will be sharing this with my mommy friends.
I love the tip that if she likes and wants it now – feed it to her!
So many effective ways to get good nutrition into a growing body!
Cauliflowers are health and I’m glad they captured these in such a light pack.
Fortunately, my kids would often prefer vegetables to sweets. We rarely had food rules because they ate well already! Great ideas here!
I also mix veggies in various dishes to add more vegetable content to them and in turn, get my kid to eat better.
Even as a cook myself, I too have a very picky eater. Definitely will be trying some new things out though.
I have not heard of Cauliflower tortillas. What a great idea!
Thanks for all the ideas..! I bet kids will really love to eat these stuff.
Each time I see a post that promotes healthy living I really read and make sure to support it. Thank you so much for this. This will surely help a lot of people especially parents to help their kid eat veggies 🙂