This blog post will provide Australian parents with recipes to help encourage their kids to eat! From smoothie recipes to snacks, soups and dinners, we’ll provide nutritious and delicious toddler recipes to help defeat picky eaters. This post is the perfect way for parents to help their little ones to try new culinary adventures!

Foods to Encourage Picky Toddlers to Try

Have you ever had the dreaded experience of trying to get your picky eater toddler to enjoy new foods? It can be a challenge, and quite frustrating as a parent. Fortunately, there are lots of foods and strategies to get your toddler more comfortable with new foods. Here are some of the food items that can help encourage even the pickiest of eaters to try new flavors and textures.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to get toddlers eating nutritious foods. If your child is a picky eater, start by cutting the vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Consider making homemade vegetable chips. These are easy to make and can get your child tasting veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, and zucchini. You can also puree vegetables and add them to pasta sauces, soups or smoothies.

Fruits

Fruits are a great way to sweeten up meals. If your toddler is resistant towards new fruits, try making a pureed or diced fruit smoothie. It is an easy way to get them the nutritional benefits of fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and peaches. For breakfast, try blending up oats, banana and a small amount of syrup or pureed fruits.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great choice for picky eaters as it comes in many flavorful varieties. Many toddlers also enjoy freezing yogurt for a special treat. Offer your child small proportions of flavored yogurt, such as fruit-flavored or even veggies and herbs like carrot-ginger. You can also make yogurt parfaits with cereals and diced or pureed fruits.

Eggs

Eggs are a nutritious food that children can enjoy at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can scramble, poach, or hard-boiled eggs and add them to meals such as stir fry, salads, or sandwiches. You can even hide vegetables by adding diced pumpkin, zucchini, or sweet potato to the egg mixture.

Whole-Grain Breads and Rolls

Whole-grain breads and rolls are a healthy option for toddlers. Serve them with soup, spread with nut butter or melt cheese on top. Make sandwiches with Turkey and lettuce or turkey and avocado. You can also use the bread for mini pizzas with diced fruits and vegetables.

Cheese

Cheese is a great way to add nutrition to your child’s meals. Offer your toddler different kinds of cheese like feta, goat cheese, Swiss, and mozzarella. You can turn these into healthy snacks by topping with diced fruits or vegetables. Or sprinkle cheese on top of hot vegetables such as roasted butternut squash or peppers. You can also make cheese quesadillas with vegetables or have cheese omelettes with diced vegetables.

Eating new foods can be a challenge for picky eaters. However, with the right strategies and food choices, you can get your toddler to try new flavors and textures. By starting with small and familiar sized portions, as well as introducing new flavors and ingredients, you can build your child’s interest in trying out new foods.

We hope this article has provided you with some inspiration for ways to get your toddler to enjoy the world of food. Try out these ideas and explore new flavors and textures with your child. Good luck and happy eating!