Making a picky toddler eat a meal can be a challenge, like getting a picky food critic to review your meal. They are either in the mood to eat something new or they can't stand the thought of eating anything. Between job stress, after school activities and sundry other activities mom and dad need to engage in, weeknight dinners can be an exercise in frustration.
The positive aspect is that choosy toddlers shouldn't be served distinct or different food, especially chicken nuggets, as the food choice for each dinner. Parents can make easy-to-cook dinners for finicky toddlers from suitable recipes that are nutritious and scrumptious. Such simple dinners must have common tastes with use of healthy components and must be quickly made.
What to Make for Dinner for a Picky Toddler?
Before even considering what easy weeknight dinners for picky toddlers parents can prepare, it is essential to figure out what picky toddlers usually like.
The majority of picky toddlers like foods that are:
- Familiar
- Soft
- Mild
- Colorful
- Offered in small portions
A picky toddler may have different tastes as every child is unique; however, children are picky eaters because they generally tend to eat things they like that are also easy to eat. Moreover, when dealing with a picky toddler, one should be aware of the fact that this toddler might even refuse to eat any food at all.
1. Cheesy Hidden Veggie Mac and Cheese
A tasty dish that can appeal to the most particular toddler is macaroni and cheese; however, it may be possible to add some vegetables in the mixture of cheese sauce in order to make the dish more healthy, for instance, broccoli, carrots, or squash.
- It has a creamy texture
- It is familiar
- Has a bright cheese color that children usually appreciate.
By using whole wheat pasta, parents will give their children fiber which is vital for their health.
2. Mini Chicken Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes
Most toddlers enjoy eating meatballs and they love small portions which will allow them to independently pick the meatballs and eat them. Normally baked mini chicken meatballs are usually more healthy than any fried ones, so that parents can mix some grated zucchini or carrots into the meatballs to make them healthy.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Small manageable bites
- Mild chicken flavor
- Creamy mashed potatoes
3. One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta
For the busy parents, one pot meals are extremely advantageous because they are so easy to prepare. Just add chicken cut into cubes, as well as small type of pasta, broth, and vegetables and you are all set for a tasty chicken pasta dish!
Why toddlers will love it:
- Comforting flavor
- Not too filling
- Quick to make
4. Homemade Pizza Bagels
Pizza is loved by children, and that is why preparing at home in the form of pizza bagels is the best way to ensure children get healthy food in the shape of pizza.
Pizza bagels, until now, only consist of tomatoes, cheese, turkey pepperoni, mushrooms, and corn. Children will love helping to cook dinner!
Why toddlers will love it:
- Fun to make
- Comforting flavor
- All their favorite toppings
5. Soft Turkey and Cheese Quesadillas
Quesadillas are one of the easiest and fastest weeknight meals my picky toddler loves since it only takes about ten minutes to prepare. To prepare this dish, one needs to stuff a tortilla with ground turkey or chicken, cheese, and spinach and cut them into triangles. It can be prepared with sour cream or yogurt.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Quick to make
- Mild flavor
- Healthy cheese and vegetable filling
6. Baked Chicken Tenders
The homemade baked chicken tenders is a healthy substitute for junk food. The chicken pieces are baked in the bread crumb.
They should be served with the sweet potato fry, peas and apples. In addition, you may offer your toddler to dip their fingers in the ketchup or yogurt, if they want to.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy alternative to fast food
- Comforting flavor
- All their favorite sides
7. Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole
Many picky toddlers would eat their vegetables if they were disguised in another food. Make a broccoli rice casserole with rice, chicken, cheese, and finely chopped broccoli.
The cheese will hide the”vegetableness,” of the broccoli while still giving your child his daily dose of healthy vegetables.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Comforting flavor
- Mild broccoli taste
- Healthy cheese and rice
8. Mini Shepherd's Pie
Invent a recipe for a shepherd's pie using ground beef or turkey, mixed vegetables, and mashed potatoes
Bake the shepherd's pie until it is golden brown and serve it with steamed green beans.
The mashed potatoes would go over the top of the mixed vegetables which could help get picky toddlers to eat their veggies.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy beef or turkey filling
- Comforting mashed potato topping
- All their favorite vegetables
9. Baked Ravioli Casserole
Baked ravioli is simply delicious, and even the pickiest eaters will be satisfied. In addition, it is quick to make, as it only takes half an hour. All you have to do is grab some ready-made cheese ravioli from the supermarket, add some sauce, some mozzarella cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Comforting cheese and pasta flavor
- Healthy vegetable filling
- Quick to make
10. Breakfast-for-Dinner Pancakes
For dinner, you can satisfy your toddler’s love for breakfast food. Grain pancakes with whole wheat flour, eggs, and fruits will do the trick. You can also add some mashed bananas or pumpkin puree for extra nutrition.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy whole wheat pancakes
- All their favorite breakfast foods
- Healthy fruit and egg topping
11. Creamy Chicken and Rice
Many picky eaters would actually prefer simple dishes made with simple ingredients. A dish could be made out of small cubes of tender chicken, rice, broth, and milk mixed together to make a comforting creamy meal.
This bland-tasting, creamy dish would appeal to many picky toddlers who don't like strong tasting food. Some chopped carrots or peas could be added for good nutrition.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Mild flavor
- Comforting texture
- Healthy chicken and rice filling
12. Mini Beef Sliders
There is no doubt that mini beef sliders are a healthier choice due to their small size and the fact that they are made from lean ground beef. In addition, it is best if they are served with a bun along with some cheese, ketchup, and cucumber .
Furthermore, it would be wise not to add too many toppings on the sliders as the fussy eater would not eat them.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy beef patty
- Mild cheese topping
- All their favorite toppings in small portions
13. Veggie-Packed Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is an easy and delicious way of incorporating vegetables into the diet of a picky eater. All that needs to be done is take shredded carrot, zucchini, and spinach, mix it in with some shredded cheese, and thoroughly warm up the mixture till the cheese is melted.
It will make a delicious and healthy meal full of fiber for the whole family. Moreover, in order to make it more attractive, one can also eat some tomato soup and/or fruit along with the sandwich.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy vegetable filling
- Comforting cheese flavor
- All their favorite sides
14. Easy Baked Salmon with Rice
Most picky eaters love to have salmon for dinner, baked in the oven with olive oil and a bit of butter. Baked in the oven with a bit of garlic powder, served with rice and steamed green beans.
Salmon contains lots of omega 3's, which are necessary for proper brain development.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy salmon filling
- Comforting rice and green beans
- Mild garlic flavor
15. Simple Taco Rice Bowls
Rather, prepare a taco rice bowl with rice, ground turkey, cheese, corn, and avocado, instead of tacos. Also, involve your toddler in preparing the meal, and ask them to customize their rice bowls to their liking.
Why toddlers will love it:
- Healthy taco and rice flavors
- All their favorite toppings
- Let them help to make it
Tips on How to Get Finicky Toddlers to Eat New Foods
Despite their best efforts to provide their children with a healthy diet, parents encounter situations where the children refuse to eat. The best option in this situation is to avoid forcing picky eaters to consume what they do not want to eat and maintain composure in such situations.
Some of the tips that can be used to get picky toddlers to eat new foods include:
Provide One Familiar Food
Be sure that at least one food that the child enjoys has been provided.
Go for Small Portions
Most of the time, pick eaters do not like to eat large portions of food.
Let them have a little so as to test their appetite. Do not pressure your child to eat.
If you pressure your child to clean his plate he/she will learn to develop bad attitudes towards food.
Instead, encourage your child to have his meal while helping him understand that there is no need to finish everything on the plate.
Be Patient
Research has shown that it may take a child up to ten to fifteen attempts or even more before they are willing to try a new food. Keep on offering the food but in small portions without pressure.
Eat together
It is normal for toddlers to imitate what their parents do. By having the parents eat the toddler is more likely to follow suit especially with regard to eating vegetables or new dishes.
Final Thoughts
Dinner does not have to be a fight. The easiest dinners for picky toddlers are those that are healthy and well balanced, or things they already know and love, like cheese and chicken tenders. Here are a few healthy and easy weeknight dinners for picky eaters to satisfy the pickiest of palates.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that picky eating is just a phase, and that toddlers will soon be willing to try new things.
As such, making healthy meals and allowing the toddler to participate in the preparation of the meals not only encourage good eating habits for life but also help to develop healthy relationships with food.
With these fifteen easy weeknight dinners for picky toddlers, parents can spend less time stressing over dinner and more time enjoying their children.
