![child with broccoli](https://food.unl.edu/newsletters/images/child-wth-broccoli.jpg)
Picky eating is typical for many children as they grow up and become more independent. Here are a few tips to help:
- Lead by example: As a parent or caregiver, you are your child's most important role model—especially when it comes to making healthy choices. If you eat healthy and try new foods, children will, too.
- Stock up on healthy choices: Buy plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy products. Keep healthy foods where they're easy to see.
- Don't force it: Forcing a child to eat certain foods will only cause more stress. Serve a few different fruits and veggies at mealtimes. Let kids find the foods they like.
- Try new foods: Try different textures and flavors. If you normally serve sliced apples, try sliced avocado or sliced kiwi. Instead of carrot sticks, try snap peas, sliced bell peppers, or cucumbers.
- Get creative: Add fruits and veggies to foods your family already likes. Mix blueberries and oats into pancakes. Add sliced fruit to a favorite cereal. Serve shredded veggies over rice or whole wheat pasta. Make smoothies with fresh or frozen strawberries, a banana, and low-fat yogurt.
- Let kids help with meals and snacks: Children are more likely to eat food that they help make. Encourage children to help prepare meals and snacks. Let them help make the shopping list, pick out food at the grocery store and slice, mix, bake, or cook the food.
- Make healthy food fun to eat: Cut baked chicken, low-fat cheese, and veggies into bite-size pieces. Let kids "dip" these pieces into dunking sauces. Try hummus, low-fat ranch dressing, ketchup, and mustard.
![animals in the swamp](https://food.unl.edu/recipes/animals-in-the-swamp-with-apples.jpg)
Photo provided by Cami Wells
Animals in the Swamp
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces vanilla yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon chocolate instant pudding mix
- 24 animal crackers
Directions:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Combine yogurt and pudding mix.
- Serve ¼ cup of "swamp" to each child with 6 animal crackers.
- Dip crackers into the "swamp" and enjoy.
- Refrigerate any extra "swamp" within 2 hours and eat within to 3 to 4 days.
Notes:
Try different flavors of yogurt or pudding mix like strawberry yogurt with vanilla pudding or vanilla yogurt with butterscotch or lemon pudding. Be creative and dip graham crackers, vanilla wafers or your child's favorite fruit like strawberries, bananas or apples.
Nutrition Information:
- Serving Size (¼ cup dip and 6 animal crackers):
- Calories 127
- Total Fat 4g
- Sodium 143mg
- Total Carbohydrates 22g
- Fiber 0g
More ideas for feeding children:
Sources:
End Mealtime Battles, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Preschoolers, MyPlate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Toddlers, MyPlate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
This newsletter has been peer reviewed.
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Our goal is to help parents and caregivers prepare healthy meals and snacks by sharing recipes, tips and ideas that are geared for children ages 2 to 5.