Healthy Eating for Picky Eaters — Getting Creative in the Kitchen

Kids won't eat their vegetables? Your partner refuses salads? Maybe you have very specific tastes. Healthy eating for picky eaters isn't easy — but it is possible!

Sometimes, being a picky eater follows us from our childhood to adulthood.

And even though you're ultimately in control of everything you want to eat now, it can be hard to adhere to weight loss diets if you don't like the food that's included!

Here at the Fit Mother Project, we believe that diets need to be realistic and sustainable in order to work.

When we say realistic, we mean that diets need to include foods that you're actually excited about eating.

And sustainable means that your diet shouldn't be too constricting, expensive, or complicated for you to commit.

If you're a picky eater — or have kids who are — this article will explain how you can still eat healthily and abide by weight loss diets, but on your own terms!

Is your home filled with junk food junkies? These healthy eating hacks will help even the pickiest of eaters!

Healthy Eating for Picky Eaters: Change Your Mindset

At first thought, you might think that there's no way to make a “picky eater” a “healthy eater.”

The reality is, your mind has been made up to believe that's true!

Anyone who has been a picky eater all of their life will tell you that just because they like (and dislike) certain foods, does not make them unhealthy.

Supermarket ads would lead you to believe that the only thing people are serving on dinner tables is salad and grilled chicken.

That might sound great to some, and like a complete bore to others!

But what all the supermarket ads leave out are all the unique, different flavors that exist out there and the many ways you can prepare one single item.

Be Open to the New and Creative With the Old

In order to sustain a healthy diet, you do need the basics of protein, vegetables, fruit, and starches.

All you need to do to embrace the new is to find at least two different types of foods each week to try at your house.

Branch out with your vegetables and try spaghetti squash or yams!

Try thinking outside of the box — but of course, prepare these new items in a healthy way.

Similarly, all you need to do to get creative with the old is prepare your favorite proteins, vegetables, and starches in a new way.

You'd be amazed at how differently broccoli can taste pan-fried with a garlicky glaze versus oven-baked with a light cheese drizzle.

Your family will be happy to eat the same veggies as long as they're dressed differently!

Healthy Eating for Picky Eaters: Take Some Pressure Off

As a mom, it can feel like all the pressure is on you.

Many of us are the main cooks, cleaners, planners, and all-around make-magic-happen-ers in our family.

With all the joy that comes with supporting your family, there's also some stress.

There are a few ways that you can make your healthy eating journey a bit easier on you.

Meal Prepping

Meal prepping is one of our favorite ways to streamline cooking!

Although it requires some upfront work, you reap the benefits throughout the entire week.

Meal prepping allows you to use one day a week to shop for food, prep all of your meals, and clean your kitchen.

The rest of your week would be spent reheating the delicious, already-prepared meals!

Slow Cookers

Anyone who loves slow cookers really does LOVE their slow cooker.

Imagine tossing your entire meal into a pot and leaving it on all day, just to come home to the tenderest meat you've ever eaten with the richest flavor?

That's what a slow cooker does.

You can streamline your evenings by prepping food in the morning in your slow cooker.

All you'd have to do after eating would be to package up the leftovers for tomorrow and clean out the one slow cooker dish!

Grocery Delivery Apps

There are many ways to actually skip the grocery store entirely.

Between curbside pickup, AmazonFresh, and Instacart, chances are there is a way that you could do all your shopping online.

While these services do include a service fee, it's up to you to decide if it's worth the hassle of kids in the grocery store and fighting the lines.

We find that ordering our groceries online helps us to plan ahead, so we eat healthier.

It also allows us to grocery shop from home, which eliminates food waste when we can see everything we already have!

Healthy Eating for Picky Eaters: Oh, the Choices!

We're going to (intentionally) overload you with lists of all the amazing, healthy foods you may have never heard of before.

We are challenging you to pick at least three to try.

There is no shame in being a picky eater, but it's important to remember that even picky eaters can be adventurous!

Proteins

• Tofu
• Lentils
• Canned tuna
• Black beans
• Tempeh
• Edamame

Vegetables

• Swiss chard
• Red cabbage
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Artichoke
• Dandelion greens
• Kimchi

Fruits

• Jackfruit
• Kiwi
• Dragon fruit
• Guava
• Pomegranate
• Mulberries
• Pomelo

Creating Your Meal Plan

There are so many healthy and delicious foods that you can fill your table with.

There's no reason to limit yourself to foods that you think are “safe” just because you're a little choosy!

Bringing new foods to your table will help you prove to yourself that you can still be adventurous, and help you show your kids that life is about trying new things.

If you'd like help on how to find a workout and diet plan that will work for your lifestyle, look into the Fit Mom 3-day Weight Loss Jumpstart!

*Please know that weight loss results & health changes/improvements vary from individual to individual; you may not achieve similar results. Always consult with your doctor before making health decisions. This is not medical advice – simply very well-researched info on healthy eating for picky eaters.