Healthy Foods For Picky Kids

If you have a picky eater, you are likely frustrated with trying to get him to eat a variety of nutritious foods. According to KidsHealth, many children are reluctant to try new or different foods because they are unsure about the taste or texture. Your child may need to see the same food dozens of times before he is willing to actually give it a try, so keep offering healthy choices.

Whole Wheat Toast

Whole wheat toast will provide fiber and several vitamins and minerals. Toast is one way to encourage your picky eater because it can be prepared in a variety of different ways. Cut the toast into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Use a pumpkin at Halloween, a tree at Christmas, or a shape of your child's favorite thing, such as trains, butterflies or dinosaurs. You can top a piece of toast with a variety of healthy foods as well. Peanut butter, honey (if your child is over the age of 1), fruit-based jams and other nut butters can help encourage your child to take a bite. Provide dippers, such as peanut butter or honey, rather than spreading them on top and offer the toast cut into strips as another way to get your child to eat.

Fruit or Vegetable Salads

Many children are opposed to eating specific fruits and vegetables, including broccoli, carrots or apples. Preparing fruit or vegetable salads that contain several different types of produce may encourage your child to eat because she has the power to choose the kinds she is willing to eat. Make your child a salad using one food you know she will willingly eat and then throw in a one or two other kinds to encourage her to try something new. You can add low-fat yogurt or low-fat ranch dressing for dip as well. Making the fruit or vegetables into a funny face on the plate can also be an enticing way for your picky eater to get the recommended five servings of produce each day, reports Linda Piette, author of "Just Two More Bites!: Helping Picky Eaters Say Yes to Food."

Trail Mix

Trail mix is another way to provide healthy foods for your picky eater because it gives him the power to choose what he is willing to eat and what he does not want. Set out a variety of healthy ingredients, such as dry cereal, nuts, dried fruits and fish shaped crackers. Encourage your child to shake a few things into a bowl. Add a small amount of a treat, such as a couple chocolate chips or marshmallows, to further encourage your child to give it a try. Piette notes that giving your child the power to choose what he eats can result in the consumption of more healthy foods because he does not feel forced to eat something he does not want.