PICKY EATING RECIPE HACKS

Struggling with a child who is a picky eater is difficult, but there are excellent solutions available that will make our lives easier feeding nutrient rich foods to our picky eaters.

We can devise a plan to toss out all packaged foods, and fill our shopping carts with things that would make any Whole Foods Shopping Mom proud. These would include nutrient rich foods with proteins such as iron, zinc, choline, folate, iodine, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Omega 3.

But then we realize that these foods are the exact ones that most texture sensitive and picky eaters avoid.

Many children who are selective eaters have a hard time accepting nutrient rich foods including veggies, fruits, whole grains, fish and poultry. Instead, they often gravitate towards processed foods which are less texturized.

This is why a Picky Eating Recipe Solution is a must have to keep our children healthy.

Kid friendly smoothies are a great way to access nutrient rich foods without compromising taste. Smoothies are low texture and often much easier to convince our selective eaters to try.

Offering smoothies can take the pressure off the child, while making the parent feel more successful in providing quality nutrition. By using a Vitamix, there is no grainy texture typical of smoothies made in traditional blenders. Texture Sensitive children can frequently sense the seeds and skins that are not emulsified when using a conventional blender.

By using a Vitamix we can use little to no liquids, such as juice or water. As a result, calories and nutrients are more condensed.

Always rule out any medical or structural issues that can be contributing to any self-imposed food restrictions. Issues such as reflux, enlarged tonsils, low muscle tone, and tethered oral tissue (short, thick frenulum under the tongue) can lead to self-limiting diets. If there are red flags, we want to make the appropriate medical referrals to a Gastroenterologist, Ears Nose and Throat Doctor and/or Preferred Provider (Dentist or ENT specializing in tongue ties).

The Emulsifier is a wonderful solution. Vitamix 7500 (64 oz) blender is BPA free. It can be Found on Amazon. Families can also purchase it refurbished. Found here on Amazon.

Smoothies are not just great for hiding nutrients for selective eaters and texture sensitive children, but they are also terrific for children with weak chewing skills.

Pitaya is another name for dragon fruit. Always ask what ingredients are inside a bought smoothie, so you can try to replicate it at home.

• 1 cup of Pitayaplus Dragonfruit frozen cubes (or 1 smoothie packet or 1-2 tbsp of pitaya powder)
• 1 cup of mango
• 1 cup of pineapple
• ½ cup of coconut water
• *add handful of spinach and 2 tbsp hemp seeds for more nutrition

Buy on Amazon in bulk - Pitayaplus Dragonfruit Frozen Smoothie Packs

What do you do if you can’t get your little one to accept these smoothie solutions? Turn your Nutrient Rich Smoothie into an ice pop!

Ice pops can be your go-to solution when your child won’t accept smoothies. The recipe below is full of potassium, magnesium, B6, Vitamin C, Fiber, calcium, omegas, iron and protein.

Pitaya Smoothie Ice Pop Solution for Selective Eaters:

• 3 Frozen Bananas
• ½ cup frozen dragonfruit (pitaya)
• 1 tbsp of chia seeds

Use the TOVOLO brand ice pop molds. This and Pitayaplus Dragonfruit Frozen Cubes are available on Amazon.

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