Lunch Ideas for Picky Eaters

A picky eater is a mother's worst nightmare. Not only do these kids eat with a whole lot of fuss, they don't eat adequate. Enthusiasm is more shown in spitting the food out than eating it. Which not only takes a toll on the kids' health, but also takes a toll on the parent's mental state. However, there are a few ways to get around the picky eaters, try some of the following ideas for lunch.

School Lunch Ideas for Choosy Kids

A picky eater at home behaves differently at school. All kids get hunger pangs and will get hungry as their energy is spent faster than adults. But yet kids don't eat, they either bring back the lunch box intact or very conveniently drop in the dustbin, as my kid does. In most cases, experts feel that eating time is power struggle time between kids and parents, which leaves the entire lot full of frustration. At home, however, a parent can still keep an eye on their kid's eating habits, but in school, it isn't really possible. So, try to make lunches that have variations, that include both, taste and a little indulgence for the child.

• Pasta: Children love pasta, use tomatoes, spinach or just plain cheese to make them.
• Sandwiches: Sandwiches is a great place to sneak in vegetables along with your kids favorite meat. Add peanut butter to later taste, but avoid mayonnaise.
• Pizza: A topping of minced vegetables like carrots, green peppers, mushrooms, etc. topped with a healthy spoonful of cheese will be a delight for them.
• Cookies and Cakes: Cookies made from whole wheat cereals or multi grains can be a healthy alternative than fried snacks on days when time is short to fix lunch.
• Pancakes: Pancakes made of mashed potatoes or wheat batter topped with a colorful array of vegetables will have the kids wipe out the lunch box.
• Eggs: Boiled, scrambled, deviled, or on toast, eggs are a winner all the way.
• Salad: A rare child may want to eat a veggie salad, but most will eats fruits. Make or salad or pack separate pouches of fresh bright colored seasonal fruits.
• Burgers: This snack most perceived as junk food can be turned into a well hidden health food, Get whole grain burgers and fill it with chicken and vegetables.
• Fried Stuff: One can indulge the kids with some fried foods at times, fry batter dipped broccoli, cauliflower, baby corn, mushrooms, potatoes and chicken or fish strips.

A child who is allowed to participate in choosing his/her own meals will show more interest in eating them. Lunch time meals should be non fussy and non messy for kids, they should be quick bites, but highly nutritious at the same time. There are many fruits, vegetables, etc. that can be used to make easy recipes for picky eaters.

Try to collect more ideas from mothers who have undergone this period. Bear in mind that children do not like to be nagged when it comes to food. Hence, it is important to develop good eating habits right from the beginning. Encourage the child to eat variety, encourage one bite at a time, even though the time taken to complete that one bite can stretch. Patience and learning to listen to the child's refusal and acceptance will yield better results that threatening or coercing.