Do you struggle to feed your children healthy foods (or any foods at all)? I know that I have struggled figuring out what to feed both of my toddlers. And I know that I’m not the only one who struggles to feed my children.

Especially when they are picky eaters. My 3 year old seems to only want a vegetable occasionally. Borderline rarely. And I feel like we tried when he first started to eat food. He used to love to eat anything…and now it’s a struggle.

The Best Kid Friendly Recipes from Dash of Herbs

Common Questions About Feeding Children:

How do you get your child to eat vegetables?
This is a challenge that I think more families struggle with than we let on. A few things that I try to do are to keep offering, even if you know they might not eat it. You never know when they will decide to try something.

I can’t get my child to eat at the table. Am I a failure?
The resounding answer is NO. You are definitely not a failure if your child will not eat at the table with you. We struggle with this too. And to be honest, my stance is that as long as he eats something, does it really matter where he eats?

I know that my stance might not be the conventional answer, but it’s not worth the fight to me. We do offer to have him eat at the table with us, and sometimes he chooses to eat in a different room. I’m fine with it because I know he will likely eat, even if we aren’t staring at him.

How do you stop your child from being a picky eater?
I am no expert here, but here are some tips. Again, offer different types of foods, even if you don’t think they will eat them.

Remember that your child’s tastes could change on a daily basis. It’s frustrating that they love something one day, but hate it the next day. This happened to me with our 1 year old. She was all about chicken fried rice, and then wanted nothing to do with it the next day.

Kids need variety (again…just my opinion). This doesn’t mean that you have to go to the ends of the earth to cook something for them. This means that small changes could be all it takes. See the answer below for tips on small changes.

What small changes can I make?
If you offer a sandwich one day and want to offer it again the next day, try cutting it in a different pattern. Or use cookie cutters to cut it into a different shape. This provides that “variety” that kids crave, but you still are serving them the same sandwich.

You can also change up the sides that you offer. Instead of berries, maybe try applesauce. Or a pouch. Or offer the cookie with the meal. You never know, they might eat more if the cookie is offered at dinner time.

What about desserts or treats?
This might be controversial, but I sometimes offer a cookie or dessert with dinner. My 3 year old typically will eat it, but also will eat dinner.

If I say something like “You have to eat all of your dinner for a treat”, this leads him to not eat as much as he probably would if it was offered up front.

Think about changing the mindset that you have around food. The negative connotation you have developed through years of diet culture over dessert isn’t helping your children learn a healthy relationship with food.

Desserts or treats are still food. And if it’s healthy or not “as” healthy doesn’t mean your child shouldn’t eat them. Offering dessert is a family decision, but we have found that it usually works well and our child will still eat his dinner if a cookie is offered with it.

The list below is a great compellation of recipes that are all kid-friendly (and proven using my picky eaters). Because there are so many recipes to choose from, I will be breaking them out by meal.

Breakfast:

Turkey Sausage and Spinach Mini Quiches
If you want to try to sneak some spinach into your child's diet, these turkey sausage and spinach quiches are perfect. You can prep everything ahead of time, saving yourself a ton of time.
I like to cook mine the night before and quickly pop it in the microwave in the morning. Such a quick grab and go breakfast for those hectic weekday mornings.
Turkey Sausage and Spinach Mini Quiches Recipe
The turkey sausage and spinach mini quiches stacked on a plate.
Banana Nut Morning Glory Muffins
During the chaos of the morning weekday hustle, grab one of these banana nut morning glory muffins on your way out the door.  
They can be prepared and baked ahead of time (my favorite way to make these) for a true grab and go breakfast.  Plus, they are filling enough to keep your child full until lunchtime.  
Banana Nut Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
A close up image of the Banana Nut Morning Glory Muffins recipe that shows two muffins on a small light blue plate. One of the muffins has been cut in half. There are two other muffins scattered throughout the image.
Skinny French Toast Muffins
My toddler loves French Toast Sticks, and these are a better version of that. Think of this recipe as a healthy version of French Toast Casserole, but in individual portions. They are already portioned out, but perfect to travel with in the car.
I love that these can be made ahead of time for a true grab and go breakfast.  
Skinny French Toast Muffins Recipe
A close up image of the Skinny French Toast Muffins recipe. There are two muffins on a light blue plate with syrup being poured on top of one of them.
All the kid friendly breakfast recipes

10+ Easy Kid Friendly Breakfast Recipes

If you are interested in other Kid Friendly Breakfast recipes, click the link below. You will be able to search the archives for any Kid Friendly Breakfast Recipe from Dash of Herbs.

Lunch:

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Macaroni and cheese made the list, but only because it's a perfect meal for children. And isn't it better to know what ingredients you are using in your macaroni and cheese recipe?
Kids love that it's hearty, creamy and cheesy. Don’t let the word broccoli deter you from trying this recipe.
Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli Recipe
Healthy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
If you are in need of a quick and easy dinner for those hectic weeknights, try this slow cooker teriyaki chicken recipe (I paired mine with a tomato orzo salad).  You might think that kids won't like the Teriyaki flavor, but mine have loved this recipe.
This recipe is healthy, easy to make and perfect for the whole family. 
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
Instant Pot Easy Chicken Tacos
If you love tacos as much as I do, you need to try these Instant Pot easy chicken tacos.  They are easy to make – only take about 20 minutes – and taste like they have been cooking all day long.
If you have younger kids who aren't sure about tacos (like mine are), then you can make a deconstructed taco for them. Just have everything in it's own pile (chicken, lettuce, cheese) and they can eat it plain or mix it on their own.
Instant Pot Easy Chicken Tacos Recipe
Instant Pot Easy Chicken Tacos
All the kid friendly lunch recipes

6 Easy Kid Friendly Lunch Recipes

If you are interested in other Kid Friendly Lunch recipes, click the link below. You will be able to search the archives for any Kid Friendly Lunch Recipe from Dash of Herbs.

Dinner:

Instant Pot Cheesy Turkey Burger Macaroni
This has truly become one of our family's absolute favorite meals. It's another mac and cheese recipe, but with a twist. The turkey adds protein, but it doesn't remove any of the cheesiness.
This recipe is made in the Instant Pot (or other electric pressure cooker) and only takes 6 minutes once it reaches pressure.  There is also a variation to make this in the Slow Cooker if you don't have an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Cheesy Turkey Burger Macaroni Recipe
instant pot cheesy pasta with ground turkey close up image
Oven Baked Crispy Panko Chicken Tenders
Kids love chicken tenders (or chicken nuggets) and what's not to like. They are breaded, fried and taste great. Well these are oven baked and breaded with panko instead of breadcrumbs.
This will become a family favorite in your house if you try it.
Oven Baked Crispy Panko Chicken Tenders Recipe
Oven Baked Crispy Panko Chicken Tenders
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti sauce (and Italian food) is a staple in our house. We have spaghetti usually once a week because it's a food that I know my kids will eat it. I also love making extra and freezing it for leftovers. That truly makes this a recipe that we use over and over again.
The best part is that you are making it yourself, so there is no added sugars that are found in store bought sauces.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
An overhead image of the Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce recipe over bowtie noodles. You can see the carrots, meat and tomatoes in this image. There is Parmesan cheese on top.

All the kid friendly Dinner recipes

6 Easy Kid Friendly Dinner Recipes

If you are interested in other Kid Friendly Dinner recipes, click the link below. You will be able to search the archives for any Kid Friendly Dinner Recipe from Dash of Herbs.

Snacks:

Stuffed Apple Cider Muffins
These stuffed apple cider muffins are everything you have ever imagined.  They are stuffed with apples, contain delicious apple cider, and are perfect for small kids hands.
These are great because they can be put together and cooked the night before. And then you can have a grab and go snack available.
You can also have your child help you make these, which is a great activity to get them comfortable in the kitchen.
Stuffed Apple Cider Muffins Recipe
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
This chocolate-chip zucchini bread is only 4 Freestyle points per serving and tastes like it’s a traditional bread.  A wonderful snack option when you are craving something sweet, but want it to be a healthy snack.
You can also make this with your child to help you in the kitchen. I love cooking with my kids and love watching them help. Just remember to EMBRACE THE MESS.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread Recipe
An image of the Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread recipe with the recipe in a bright red ceramic loaf pan. You can see a yellow and white napkin underneath the loaf pan with chocolate chips sprinkled in the image.

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