by Cyndi Li

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: December 18, 2009

If you're like most parents, you worry about your child not getting enough healthy foods in their daily diet. The nutrients and minerals found in foods like fruits and vegetables are a vital part of overall good health. Having a child that's a picky eater can seem like a nightmare if they don't want to eat nutritious foods. Before you throw in the towel and allow your child to live on pizza, french fries and P&J sandwiches, give the following ideas a try.

Most kids won't go near a piece of meat. They will, however, eat just about anything with ketchup on it. Give your child a little dish of ketchup to dip their meat in, and be sure to cut their meat up real small. It goes down much easier.

If you're afraid your child isn't getting the proper amount of protein in their diet, you could also offer peanut butter at lunch time or eggs for breakfast. Both of these foods are rich on protein.

Offer other dipping sauces as well. Barbecue sauce, a mild mustard, mayonnaise or any other flavoring they like, and be sure to season the meat with salt and pepper while it's cooking. This brings out the flavors of the meat.

Dice vegetables up into small pieces and puree them in a spaghetti sauce. Your child won't even know they're in there.

Offer raw vegetables with a healthy dip. Peanut butter is a great healthy dip for kids.

Other ideas

Let them prepare the meal with you. When it comes to cooking, there's always some way everyone can pitch in. Even if it's just gathering ingredients or getting out the pots and pans. When children help prepare their meals they are more likely to eat them.

Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes with the food. You could also make funny faces with the food. One idea to make a face with food is to use olives for the eyes and nose, thin celery strips for the mouth, carrots for the ears and a rice dish for the hair. There are endless possibilities.

Promise a treat if they eat their food. Some people call this bribery, I call it a-perfect-way-to-get-my-child-to-eat-healthy-food. However, if you use this technique you have to stand firm, and not give them a treat unless they eat their food. Otherwise you're right back at square one.

How about a picnic? Toss a blanket on the living room floor (or outside if the weather permits) and have picnic. It will seem as if it's an adventure for your child and they'll be more likely to participate.

Be a good example and eat your food as well. If your child seeing you turn your nose up at the peas on your plate, they'll do the same. Just put a smile on your face and eat your peas like a good little parent.

Finally, if all else fails, offer only healthy foods and, when they get hungry enough, they'll eat it. Sounds a bit harsh, but it's not.

Getting a pick child to eat healthy can be a challenge sometimes. It isn't however, and impossible task. Try these tips out on your picky eater, and watch the positive results.

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