My son, Noah, is the epitome of a picky eater—he’s always turned his nose up at anything remotely healthy. I still recall the first time we introduced him to solid foods; applesauce was on the menu (perhaps not my wisest choice). After just one tentative lick, he recoiled as if we’d served him something spoiled.
As Noah has matured, he’s started to grasp the importance of a balanced diet. He understands that he needs to incorporate various food groups regularly, and he’s become more open to collaborating with me to explore nutritious options that cater to his finicky palate. While he generally eats well during mealtimes, especially dinner—where I can usually convince him to have either broccoli or corn with some protein—snacks present a different challenge. It’s all too tempting for him to grab chips or pretzels, even the healthier brands I keep stocked.
Over the past few months, we’ve discovered some go-to snacks that both satisfy his cravings and meet my nutrition standards. However, even picky eaters can get stuck in a rut. Recently, Noah and I explored Pinterest for some new snack ideas for him to try. Here are our top picks:
1. Apple ‘Cookies’
Getting Noah to eat fruit can be a challenge, but these apple “cookies” were a smash hit. The combination of apple and peanut butter is hard to resist, and adding chocolate chips makes it even better. I must admit, we skipped the shredded coconut and chopped nuts in our version—got to pick your battles!
2. Fruit and Sandwich Skewers
I learned that presentation matters! Noah is more inclined to eat fruit and even PB&J sandwiches when they’re on skewers. Who would’ve thought? But the important part is that he enjoyed them!
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Green Smoothie
This recipe has become a staple for us. We’ve made it countless times and I adjust it to fit Noah’s preferences (we pass on chia seeds). It’s one of the few ways I can sneak greens into his diet—believe it or not, the chocolate completely masks the taste of spinach, and it’s delicious!
4. Strawberries and Cream Smoothie
This was my personal favorite to try. Using full-fat coconut milk made it a real treat, especially for someone like me who can’t have dairy. It tasted like strawberry ice cream, with most of the sweetness coming from the fruit. If your child prefers it sweeter, a little extra healthy sweetener can do the trick.
5. Avocado Banana Chocolate Pudding
Avocado is considered a superfood, and while I love it, Noah has always shunned it. However, he devoured this chocolate pudding made with avocado without realizing what was in it! I did lean a bit more on the banana than the avocado, but it was a hit.
6. Flourless Pumpkin Muffins
Noah is not a fan of orange foods, which are packed with good vitamins. Surprisingly, he loves pumpkin, so these muffins were a success. They’re made with whole-grain oats, making them both hearty and nutritious.
7. Oatmeal Banana Cookies
This is an old favorite that’s worth mentioning. It’s super easy and healthy, plus Noah has always enjoyed it. The recipe is simple:
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups of whole oats
- ¼ cup oil (we usually use olive oil, but any neutral oil works)
- Cinnamon to taste
Mash the bananas, mix in the oats, oil, and cinnamon, form into cookies, and bake at 375°F for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden around the edges. Trust me, your kids will love them!
Testing these snacks with Noah was a fun experience. It turned eating into a game for him, making everything seem more appealing. He enjoyed selecting which recipes to try and even had the power to veto the ones he didn’t like. Most importantly, it showed me that with a little creativity, it’s possible to provide healthy snacks for even the pickiest of eaters. If you’re interested in other parenting topics, this is one of our other blog posts that you might enjoy.
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Summary:
Discovering tasty, healthy snacks for picky eaters can be a fun adventure. From apple “cookies” to smoothies packed with nutrients, these creative ideas will help even the fussiest eaters enjoy nutritious snacks. With a little effort, you can make healthy eating enjoyable!