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Kids Not Eating Dinner? Try this!

by Stephanie

Kids Not Eating Dinner? Try this!

When it comes to dinner, making something the kids will eat can be hard.

Who’s with me???

Over the last 12 years that I’ve been making dinners for kids, I’ve discovered a few tricks to get kids to eat dinner on a semi-consistent basis.

Please Note: This post is for picky or ‘selective’ eaters. I have lots of friends whose kids will eat anything and everything and I will be eternally envious. 

I, for one, do not have those types of kids.

So, for those who are like me and my family, here are some tips I’ve found helpful over the years.

When you’re meal planning, ask them what they want to eat for dinner.

If you want to make life a little easier during the week, my recommendation has always been to plan your meals during the week (and even make some meals on the weekend). It just helps to keep things less stressful when your nights are busy. 

But instead of coming up with ideas that you want to eat, ask the kids! 

Asking the kids gives them some confidence that they have a say about what’s being served to them at the table. They’re not going to pick what they don’t want so it’s almost guaranteed they’ll eat dinner.

Mix it up every week but with the same meal template.

If your kids are like my kids, they’ll say they want the following for dinner (every week…)

  • Tacos
  • Pasta
  • Burgers
  • Eggs and Toast
  • Pizza

I struggle with this a bit because I really like to have variety in my meals, but I have come to realize that there’s almost no fuss when these meals are served and that’s worth it in the end.

I keep joking with my husband that we can eat what we want when the kids leave the house (if they ever do leave of course…).

There are so many types of recipes for each of these meals that you can basically have something different every week that will still fall under your ‘template’ so to speak.

For example: mix up the taco ingredients every week.

One week I’ll serve ground beef with the tacos and the next week I’ll serve lentils or walnut ‘meat’. It’s a great way to add variety to your meals and also to offer different nutrients for you and the kids.

When it comes to pizza, try a tomato sauce base one week and pesto the next. 

For eggs and toast: serve a frittata one week and fried eggs on toast the next.

The key is to ask them what they want and then provide enough variation so that you don’t get bored with what’s being served.

If you happen to have a meal the kids didn’t ask for, try to always have something on the table they want to eat. My son loves red peppers and my daughter will tolerate carrots so I have those on the table so they can munch on them until they’ve decided they will try something new.

It’s a never-ending dance when it comes to picky kids and mealtime so try to make it as easy as you can by serving up a weekly template!

P.S. If this post sounds like your family, check out my new meal plan Kid Dinners! I’ve included 7 days of recipes that your kids will love and that means less fuss at the table during dinner. That’s a win in my books! Get it here.

P.S.: Follow me on Instagram to get weekly tips and tricks!

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: cooking, dinner, kids, kids recipes

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Follow me on Instagram • @lealoulemonade

From what I’ve heard so far, our property used t From what I’ve heard so far, our property used to be an apple orchard called Hope Farms in the 1800s. That’s all I really know (oh and that there’s a ghost we’ve yet to experience).

I was so excited to learn there were still 3 apple trees. But when we moved here no apples came.

The former owners must have trimmed them because truthfully they can be a bit of a pain when they fall and the animals and bugs get at them.

This year we started to see apples and then more apples and now all three trees are full of them. 

Many of them are wonky or blemished but they taste good! 

I picked this one today. It looks like I bought it from a store. 

‘Is that from *our* tree?’ The kids asked.

How cool and rewarding it is to pick food from your own yard. ❤️🍎🍏
Fun garden stuff! 🌱I picked some bush beans! M Fun garden stuff!

🌱I picked some bush beans! Most of them didn’t take. I think I have a furry little muncher eating the leaves…

🌱I harvested my garlic! I planted 16 cloves in November and now I have 16 bulbs! Pretty sweet return right there.

🌱My cauliflower is coming along! Almost there. 

🌱Not pictured are my mini watermelons! They’re so cute!

I’m learning lots and already thinking of what I’d do differently next summer.
Well, guess what? Our wellness retreat was cance Well, guess what? 

Our wellness retreat was canceled on June 24 because it was calling for thunderstorms all day - we had to make a call and guess what else? It barely rained! 

Such is life!

We managed to move most of the attendees to Sunday, July 16 and we'd love to open it up one more time to see if you would like to attend with them.

We'd love to see you!

As a reminder, here is the plan for the day:

❤️Welcome Circle
❤️Yoga + Group Reiki Class with Sonya Brar
❤️Cooking Class with me!
❤️Lunch together
❤️Meditation
❤️Closing Circle

I'm finalizing the yummy recipes we'll be cooking and eating. Fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. 

I'm also keeping the recipes simple because you're coming to recharge right? 

Join us on July 16! Link is in my bio @lealoucooks 
—-
@soar_wellness
Eat the rainbow(ish). 🌈 I find kids (and adult Eat the rainbow(ish). 🌈

I find kids (and adults) are more likely to eat veggies when we offer them like this. 

Sounds simple, but I find my kids eat more like this than when I put them in lunches or directly on their plates at dinner. 

Plus, it’s pretty on the table! 

I’m serving this with pulled chicken sandwiches for dinner tonight! 

Soccer night! ⚽️

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About Stephanie

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Hey! I'm Stephanie. I'm a Writer, Culinary Nutrition Expert and Cooking Instructor helping families cook nourishing meals. Read more about me {here}.

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