Healthy Recipes for a picky eater?

[spoiledshells]

Hi there! Every time I try to eat better, it never lasts because I feel so limited as to what I can eat. I love fruits- it's the veggies that serve as the main problem. The only veggies I like are corn, green beans, lettuce, cucumbers, onions, peppers (mainly green peppers).. and I think that's about it. I admit I haven't tried every vegetable out there, so maybe there are some uncommon veggies I would like? Also, I hate tomatoes. I love ketchup and even pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, but will not eat chunks of tomato. The only fish I like is tuna, and that's loaded with mayo and relish (the only way I have discovered I will eat relish- I love dill pickles but not sweet) I think that's because it covers up the "fishy" taste. I have tried to force myself to eat fish and even certain veggies, but I can't seem to get them down. I find myself gagging before I can even swallow LOL!

My hubby will eat just about anything, but my 4 year old is beginning to act more and more like me when it comes to food. I want to start cooking healthier so maybe I can help her to learn to like more foods. When she was a baby, the only thing I couldn't get her to eat was peas. Now I have no luck getting her to eat anything that doesn't look like a chicken nugget, pizza, or hot dog. She does like fruits, though- so that's a good thing.

Do any of you have recipes you think I should try? I'm more than willing to try them. I am willing to try putting veggies I HATE into my food, as long as I think the taste wont be too strong and overwhelm me.

Thanks in advance for any advice or recipes!! <3

[Zeldaz]

You should look for one of those cookbooks about how to sneak veggies into children's food, it might work for you. And you may not have actually had fresh fish, it's only "fishy" when it's old. Fresh seafood smells only of the sea. Try grilled tilapia fish tacos, tilapia is very neutral.
Start a garden. You'll be more likely to eat vegetables you have grown yourself. Start with the ones you like, add new ones to try every so often.

[duonyte]

Well, it's good that you are willing to face this, especially as your child is starting to follow your habits, and that will not be good long-term.

Are there things you really like to eat? For example, if you like chicken or veal piccata, you can make fish fillets the same way - that might be a way to transition into eating more seafood. You will want to concentrate on white fish fillets or scallops or things like that, as those will be much more mild in flavor.

If things you like are fast food or processed food based, we likely will be able to find you recipes for home-cooked versions that use healthier ingredients.

[Chocolatl]

I don't think you're that picky. There is a list of vegetables you like, so eat those often. You can add one you haven't tried now and then. Give it two or three tries to get used to it, but if you don't like it, don't keep using it. You can eat more fruit, as well.

If you don't like fish, you don't like fish. That's not a food crime. There are other ways to get the nutritional benefits of fish into your diet. Walnuts, for example, are a good source of ALA Omega 3 fatty acid. There are always supplements if need be. If you like canned tuna, you might also like canned salmon.

Above all else, do NOT force yourself to choke something down. That sends your child the message that eating is an ordeal, and will make her pickier than ever. There could also be a good reason for your dislike of certain foods--your body may be sensitive to them, and is reacting to them.

You also don't have to eat chunks of anything. What do you think blenders are for?

[Zeldaz]

Liking a new food also takes more than a few tries. Maybe you can cook up a small amount of something new that both you and your daughter can try just a bite of during a meal, then try it again a few days later, making it sort of like a game. Many things can be an acquired taste (sweet potatoes, winter squash, most cheeses, and avocado were that way for me). And congratulations on making the effort!
By the way, that little kid would probably LOVE gardening. Beans and radishes give pretty immediate gratification, as they sprout easily. You could even try making sprouts to eat, seeds that have sprouted have loads more nutrients and can make a home-grown salad.

[pinky kookie]

You are not alone. I have answered this question many times in this forum, so here are some links from very good websites with full of ideas for picky eaters. You can select the recipes that you like from these websites to have on hand for cooking a variety of foods.

HOW TO GET KIDS TO EAT THEIR VEGGIES - SPAGHETTI SAUCE -
By Sharon123 - 5 reviews -
with zucchini, carrot, corn, red pepper, onion & celery:
http://www.food.com/recipe/how-to-get-kids-to-eat-their-veggies-spaghetti-sauce-52194

TV EGGS - KIDS FAVORITE FUN TO EAT BREAKFAST RECIPE -
By Chef #1290167 - 2 reviews -
http://www.food.com/recipe/t-v-eggs-kids-favorite-fun-to-eat-breakfast-376427

DEB'S FAVORITE WAY TO EAT FRESH FRUIT RECIPE -
By Debbwl - 38 reviews -
http://www.food.com/recipe/debs-favorite-way-to-eat-fresh-fruit-376786

MAC N CHEESE KID'S FAVORITE FOOD RECIPE -
By zjcfoodie -
http://www.food.com/recipe/mac-n-cheese-kids-favorite-food-476235

HOT DOG BOATS 3 INGREDIENTS - FUN FOR KIDS TO MAKE RECIPE -
By ELS - 9 reviews -
http://www.food.com/recipe/hot-dog-boats-3-ingredients-fun-for-kids-to-make-199468


HOW TO GET YOUR PICKY EATERS TO TRY HEALTHY FOODS -
Don't make a big deal about it, Make it fun, Work with her, Talk it up, & Eat it yourself:
http://www.parenting.com/article/how-to-get-your-picky-eaters-to-try-healthy-foods

HEALTHY FOODS FOR PICKY EATERS -
http://www.parenting.com/tags/picky-eaters

7 PICKY EATER SOLUTIONS -
http://www.parenting.com/gallery/7-picky-eater-solutions

50+ RECIPES FOR PICKY EATERS -
http://www.parenting.com/recipes/picky-eaters

[pinky kookie]

And here are some more recipe ideas to select from:

HOW TO PLEASE A PICKY EATER -
http://family.go.com/food/pkg-annabel-karmel-recipes-for-kids/

12 TIPS FOR FEEDING PICKY EATERS FROM ANNABEL KARMEL -
http://family.go.com/food/article-793265-annabel-karmel-s-tips-for-feeding-picky-eaters-t/

ANNABEL'S SECRET TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE -
http://family.go.com/food/recipe-ak-648419-annabel-s-secret-tomato-sauce-t/

HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO EAT VEGETABLES -
http://family.go.com/food/pkg-vegetable-recipes/

25 YUMMY DINNERS FOR PICKY EATERS -
http://family.go.com/food/dinners-for-picky-eaters-pg/view-all/


THE SNEAKY CHEF: SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR HIDING HEALTHY FOODS IN KID'S -
(OR FAMILY) - FAVORITE MEALS - Put on your Sneaky Chef hat and head to the kitchen
with these delicious and healthy recipes for kids!. The pickiest palate will be pleased with these kids' recipes:
http://www.thesneakychef.com/free_sneaky_chef_recipes.php

EASY HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE RECIPE -
http://www.thesneakychef.com/free_recipe_tomato_sauce.php


TIPS FOR KID-FRIENDLY VEGETABLE DISHES: RECIPES & COOKING - FOOD NETWORK -
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/tips-for-kid-friendly-vegetable-dishes/index.html

PASTA WITH TOMATO & HIDDEN VEGETABLE SAUCE RECIPE -
http://www.food.com/recipe/pasta-with-tomato-and-hidden-vegetable-sauce-472054

HIDDEN VEGGIES PASTA SAUCE RECIPE -
http://www.sweethappylife.com/2011/easy-family-recipes/hidden-veggies-pasta-sauce/


8 SECRETS TO RAISING VEGETABLE EATERS -
http://www.myrecipes.com/kids/healthy-kids/secrets-to-raising-vegetable-eaters-00420000004023/all.html

8 KID APPROVED SPINACH RECIPES -
http://www.myrecipes.com/kids/kid-approved-spinach-recipes-00420000000599/all.html

10 WAYS TO SNEAK IN MORE VEGETABLES -
http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/tips-advice/hidden-vegetable-recipes

[pinky kookie]

And here are more good ideas for tuna variations, just in case that you would like to try them, too:

TUNA DOGS RECIPE - By Happy Harry #2 -
http://www.food.com/recipe/tuna-dogs-158094

HOT TUNA CHEDDAR MELT SANDWICHES RECIPES -
http://www.familyoven.com/recipes/search?terms=Hot Tuna Cheddar Melt Sandwiches

TUNA MELT SANDWICHES RECIPES -
http://www.familyoven.com/recipes/search/tuna-melt?&page=4

TUNA SALAD SANDWICH RECIPE - baked in the oven -
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Tuna-Salad-Sandwich

SPEEDY BAGEL TUNA MELT RECIPE -
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/speedy-bagel-tuna-melt/detail.aspx

TUNA IN CRESCENT SHELLS RECIPE - (TUNA BAKED)
http://www.all-fish-seafood-recipes.com/index.cfm/recipe/Tuna_in_Crescent_Shells

TUNA & MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE -
http://www.cookitsimply.com/recipe-0010-0560x9.html

26 TUNA MACARONI SALAD WITH CHEESE RECIPES - SORTED BY YUMMLINESS -
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/tuna-macaroni-salad-with-cheese

KID FRIENDLY TUNA SANDWICH RECIPE -
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/everyday-cooking/kid-friendly/tuna-sandwich/

[Chocolatl]

Incidentally, in the October 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping, there's an article by a woman who literally eats only four things: bread, potato chips, milk and french fries. So don't get down on yourself!

[Zeldaz]

O.M.G.

[Chocolatl]

I know!

She has added baked potatoes and crisp bacon to her diet, though.

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

It is so exhausting when someone doesn't like what the other one does.

I catered too much to my kids when they were young. One day my husband came home and said, "you're making yourself nuts, they can eat what we eat or go hungry." He was right. So unless it's "weird" they are expected to try it.

The funny thing is, or NOT so funny, what they may like this week, they will turn their noses up to, next week.

My kids are not big veggie eaters, cuz I don't make a lot of cooked veggies.
My husband and I prefer salads (kids don't), I didn't make veggies often BUT I have always have fresh fruit of some kind on the table for the kids. The way I look at it is, it may not be green & leafy but it's healthy and they love it.

So try things and eat what you like. Children's appetites are forever changing and they will not starve, but if they get hungry enough, guess what, they eat.
Just stand firm but be reasonable. Expose them to new things & try it again several times. Sooner or later, they come around and so will you.

Oh, BTW, my teens don't like pasta. I think I am the only mother on the planet that have anti-pasta eating kids.

[Chicagoland Chef du Jour]

Chocolatl wrote:
I know!

She has added baked potatoes and crisp bacon to her diet, though.

My GFs nephew ate NOTHING but cereal thru his teens. cRaZy!

[pinky kookie]

Thank goodness for good eaters...!!!

I have never had any eating problems with my dear husband or anyone in our family, but have seen how picky my nephews are for not eating any veggies at all.

They and my brother-in-law drive my sister crazy and she never knows what to cook for them, so my nephews learned to cook what they like.

Now I am trying to teach my little grand-daughter to eat healthy with vegetables and fruits. She got a "little kitchen" for Christmas and I play cooking with her and her little dolls. She likes to cook "scrambled eggs".

[Amberngriffinco]

FRIED Zucchini w/parmesan is divine! DS loves that.. He is picky - he doesn't like the 'nuts' on strawberries, he eats the seeds INSIDE of green beans, but not the outside ! He has ALWAYS LOVED spinach souffle and I can finally make it frm scratch to taste good enough to pass as Stouffer's.

Also, carrot souffle and squash souffle..

24K carrots on here we all loved so much, I canned it last Summer

Would she eat hummus? if so, you could add in, like, beets, or peas, etc..