"I Am NOT Eating That!"

So what do you do when you're kids turn up their noses at what you've fixed for dinner? This actually happens to me on a regular basis because Horse Lover and The Monkey were "dietarily" spoiled as young children. I was a working mom who fed her family a lot convenience food. This was especially true when they were 12-24 months old. And although my cooking habits have changed, their taste for the junk food has remained. Since I refuse to spend my life only cooking the 3 meals they actually like, the battle with picky-eater-syndrome has ensued.

I use the word "battle" but that's really a misnomer because I refuse to fight about it. Been there, done that, doesn't work. So what does work?

This, my friends, is what works.

When I had this for dinner:










My daughter had this:











Did I cave? Did I fix two meals? No.

After a little taste of the sauce, my daughters really didn't want the Italian Rice with Steak, so they just had the rice plain with a little butter and salt. They had some of the broccoli and cheese, but I also gave them a little more shredded cheese for added nutrition. My kids also had the choice of fresh veggies cut up in the fridge - red and green bell pepper, and cucumber. Horse Lover really likes red bell pepper. The Monkey one chose green pepper and cucumber. Top it off with a slice of whole grain bread and butter, and voila! A well-rounded meal!

The trick, I have found, is to have their food choices out on the counter/table and that's all they can choose from. And those same choices are available to everyone - no one gets a special deal. I didn't want cold veggies or bread, so I stuck with the broccoli and Italian rice. If they eat a decent amount for dinner (including their veggies) they can have a healthy snack later if they get hungry. If not, not. See? No battle. It's their choice, and as far as they are concerned I could care less if they eat their dinner.

Just don't let them in on my secret.