Having a picky eater in the family makes meals complicated, but a planned menu can make dealing with your finicky child less stressful. According to Dr. William Sears, many toddlers focus on one type of food for the day. Your child might want a lot of fruit one day, a lot of grains the next day. Aim to offer a balanced variety of food throughout the week to accommodate these preferences.
Step 1
Write down a list of meals your picky eater will eat. Compile a separate list of meals and sides he won't usually eat. Refer to this list as you fill out your weekly meal plan.
Step 2
Draw a menu grid with one to three squares for each day of the week (depending on whether you need to plan out all three meals, or just family dinner). Another option is to photocopy a calendar page to use as your menu template.
Step 3
Write in at least one meal component for every day that you know your picky eater will eat. For example, if she likes fruit salad, write it in as a side dish for one of the meals. This gives her something she likes to eat without planning the entire meal around her picky behaviors.
Step 4
Write in the rest of the meal components for the week, including a balance of foods and dishes the rest of the family enjoys. Include items that your picky child doesn't necessarily enjoy, as he may eventually try it and decide he likes it. Choose ingredients that allow you to disguise vegetables, such as spaghetti sauce.
Step 5
Ask your picky eater to help you with the menu planning. Offer him options for a particular meal. Giving him some input in the planning might make him more likely to try the dishes.
Step 6
Write in dips and spreads that go along with meals to make your child more likely to eat less desirable foods. Examples of dips and spreads to use include hummus, ketchup, cheese sauce, yogurt, cream cheese and peanut butter.
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