This post is sponsored by Garden Lites, but all opinions are 100% my own.
JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.Let’s talk about one of my biggest struggles everyday – a picky eating toddler. This is something that I honestly never even thought about. I have never been a picky eater. I will eat every single fruit and vegetable. There isn’t much that I won’t try…so of course being the naïve first time mom that I was, I assumed Leighton would be the same way. And she was…until she turned one. Then she started eating the food at daycare instead of my home cooked meals, and she started getting VERY picky. She learned what mac & cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and pizza tasted like, so of course that was about all she wanted anymore. Aside from fruit, I can provably count on one hand what all Leighton will eat.
It has been tough, stressful and challenging having a picky toddler. She was such an amazing eater from 6 months to 1 year old that I just assumed she would be that way forever. I got used to her eating whatever we ate at any restaurant we went to and her even eating our leftovers the next day. It was so easy and convenient. But like parenthood goes, as soon as you get used to the flow of motherhood, it changes! So I’ve realized that all I can do is just adapt, roll with the changes, and try my best to be a positive influence to help teach Leighton to eat a well rounded meal including lots of healthy vegetables. I’m sharing some of my favorite tips to help with a picky eater.
1. Take them out of their usual environment. I tend to notice that Leighton eats better when she’s not at home. When she’s at home, she knows she can quickly go to the fridge and grab whatever she really wants to eat out of there. When we are out and about or eating somewhere different, she usually gives in and realizes it is that or nothing. Having a picnic at the park is a fun idea too. Most likely they will get hungry enough that they will be happy to try something new.
2. Make eating fun for them. Try new shapes like muffins or anything that looks like a cookie or pancake. Kids love finger foods at this age. Keep healthy finger foods available for them instead of them eating snacks all the time. Also add on fun toppings like a nose and smile made out something like raisins. If it looks fun to your toddler, it will be much more appealing to them.
3. Include your kids in the cooking process. This has been a big game changer for us. The more that Leighton sees what I’m cooking and helps me with it, the more she is interested in what I’m cooking and wants to actually try it. It definitely peaks her interest being included in the prepping and cooking process. Kids can learn so much by watching and touching. And then it doesn’t feel so scary to try the “new food” anymore.
4. Have designated snack times. In the morning and in the afternoon is what we do. Unless you are in a bind and have no other choice, try to stick with it. We are trying to instill good eating habits in our toddlers that they can carry with them for life. We don’t want to teach them to just snack all day long. We want them to eat healthy meals as the bulk of their diet and then eats snacks as more of an occasional thing, something that toddlers don’t always want to do! But it’s our job to try to help and lead them. But at the same time don’t stress about it. Try your best, but don’t punish them and don’t cause any extra stress or eating issues which could negatively affect them down the road. Be the role model for them.
5. Add vegetables in their foods. I always said I would never be one of those people who would just sneak in veggies into my child’s food, but never say never. Some parents may have to, and some may not, but for us, we have to if we expect Leighton to eat a single vegetable. We first tried Garden Lites muffins a few months ago, and Leighton absolutely loves them. She loves the shape, she loves that they have chocolate in them, and I love that they are actually 1/3 veggies. You would never know by just looking at these muffins!
The picture shows the actual amount of veggies and other ingredients that goes into each Garden Lites muffin. Isn’t that crazy?! There are more veggies than chocolate in these muffins. I’ve just started occasionally giving Leighton a little chocolate here and there. The other kids were getting it at preschool, and she saw and knew that and didn’t understand why she couldn’t have it too. So we decided like with most everything in life, things in moderation are okay. And if she is going to have chocolate, I would at least like to know that it also has over 1/3 veggies in it! That makes me feel so much better.
Garden Lites doesn’t just sell chocolate muffins, they also have superfood veggie cakes, carrot berry muffins, blueberry oat muffins and more. There is something for every picky eater to get in some extra fruits and veggies in their daily diet. You locate a store near you that carries Garden Lites and print a $1 off coupon here. Do you have a picky eater? Do you have any tips to share to help with picky eaters? Have you tried Garden Lites muffins yet? What are your favorite on the go snacks?
On Leighton: Dress & Bag c/o // Sandals c/o
Oh my gosh, I can't believe that these have so many veggies in them! That's awesome that you're able to find a healthy compromise for Leighton!
Ok, y'all seriously look adorable in your matching outfits!! And what an amazing product. Seriously, I feel like that's kids eating healthy is such a major challenge these days!
These look SO tasty and the fact that they are good for you makes them an even bigger perk! Love your matching mommy and me outfits… just too cute!
xoxo,
Kim
Here, all the children eat a lot of meat (after all, we are in Rio Grande do Sul, a land of livestock, with our gauchos – your cowboys – and the beautiful pasture fields), but always eat vegetables: broccoli, Tomato, cauliflower, arugula, spinach, pumpkin, potato, sweet potato and carrot. And also kilos of fruit that we bring of our ranch: tangerine, orange of diverse varieties, apple, strawberry.
Aline Brodbeck
http://www.blogfemina.com | My Instagram profile
Who knew these had so many veggies in them and they look incredibly tasty! I also love your matching outfits, too cute!
Twinning!! You two look absolutely adorable!
xo, Kristina
Y'all look adorable! Love the matching outfits! I'll be trying these muffins. I'm always looking for healthy options.
Great pictures, so adorable 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/07/30/holidays-in-tuscany-the-apartment/
Those matching outfits are precious!!
http://www.thatgoangirl.com
I am dying over the matching palm print. Is it terrible I'm dying for Leighton's dres LOL???
http://asequinloveaffair.com
These muffins sound perfect for little ones! You two look adorable as ever!
Xx Mollie
You guys are so adorable! I love parents who go the extra mile to encourage their kids to eat more veggies. Keep doing it!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
convenience is KEY for us too!!! tasty treats for all our on the go activities
Oh wow! I need to get these for my hubs haha. I bet he'd eat them.
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
Your matching looks are so adorable!! I love the leaf print:)
xoxo, Hannah
It's so hard to get my daughter to eat vegetables now to and she used to be such an adventurous eater . These are great ideas!
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