{Picky, Picky Eater}

Cole is a picky, picky eater.  Although he is a good eater, he doesn't like to try new things and does not enjoy  branching out.  If you have the same problem hopefully these tips will help you out.
-Pair each new food with a familiar food.  They may not take more than one bite, but remember it does take 8-20 tries before they can actually decide if they like it or not.
-Don't pressure them.  This alone will make them decide that they do not want it because you are pressuring them.
-Keep healthier snacks available to your kids.  Try to buy drinks that are 100 percent fruit juice or vegetable juice.  And buy snacks that are low in sugar and are not processed.

-Fresh is always best.  Fresh fruits and vegetables.
-Have your kids eat just in the kitchen, and dining room.  This causes less distractions and less likely they will want to stop playing to come and have a snack just because.
-When you do serve vegetables try to maybe put a few "princess sprinkles" or "train tracks" on the vegetables.  Try putting some sprinkles on broccoli and they may just want to eat it.
-Children need to eat every 3-4 hours: this includes 3 meals and 2 snacks, mixed in with lots of fluids.  If you keep to a schedule then your kids may be a lot less cranky and will have a much more balanced diet.  Keep your diaper bag stocked with lots of snacks such as pretzels, clementines, apples, and other snacks that are healthy and ready to snack at any time.
-In the morning or for a snack, we often make a smoothie.  I add in some spinach with the fruit and it is perfect.  Here is some of our favorite green smoothie recipes:
       -8 oz. V8 fusion lite orange mango
       -small ripe banana
       -handful of peaches (frozen or fresh)
      -2 scoops of orange or peach sherbert
       -ice
       -big handful of spinach

-Dip it.  I have mentioned before on here what big dippers my girls are.  The girls love to dip and adding dips to vegetables makes them want to eat them.  I think this is a great way to have kids branch out and enjoy eating healthy.
-Enjoying treats.  By letting your kids still have the treats it makes it feel like its not forbidden, and therefore they are able to enjoy themselves and not feel like they never get a treat.
-Make the healthy food creative and fun.

 fuzzfood.blogspot.com

 artistic31mama.com

-Be a good role model.  Simple as that.
-Keep foods cut up in the fridge that are easy and accessible.  This way when your kid is hungry you can go straight to the fridge and grab something instead of grabbing something out of a package.
-Hide the veggies.  Put the veggies in spaghetti sauce. 
-Get your kids cooking with you.  Kids love to cook and this way they may want to eat what they have made.
-Make sure you are still giving your child vitamins.
-Feed your kids off your own plate.  Our kids all eat off what mommy and daddy are eating. 
-Try the same food in different ways.  Example: normal banana, try freezing the banana and putting chocolate drizzle on it.  Maybe then they will realize they like the taste and they don't like the texture.

Please if you have any tips leave them in the comments!  Here's to less stress when it comes to food :)