Home » Picky Eaters » Tips for Picky Eaters

To help a picky eater get the most out of a meal, try these tips:

Mealtime should be fun. Cut pancakes into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or make faces out of cheese, crackers and veggie slices for eyes, noses and smiles.

Slip in veggies by mashing or blending them into other foods such as soups and baked goods. Some popular ideas are adding shredded zucchini to muffins, finely diced carrots to pasta sauce, and even spinach to kids’ favorites such as brownies. This will provide vitamins and minerals to kids without them even knowing what’s inside.

Drink up. Sometimes children prefer to drink it rather than eat it. A nutritious drink such as BOOST® Kid Essentials Drink can provide a delicious option.

Swap meals, not mealtime. If your picky eater enjoys cereal, it’s OK to have cereal for dinner, or leftover dinner such as spaghetti for breakfast.

Lastly, sometimes children are just picky eaters, and no amount of trying, cutting or camouflaging will do. It’s important that you hide your own disappointment. Sometimes this can reinforce kids’ reluctance to eat. And, offer praise if your child even takes one bite of a new food (“I’m so proud you tried a carrot!”)


1 Amongst those who had a preference, Blind Preference Test, BOOST Kid Essentials Chocolate Flavor vs. PediaSure Chocolate Flavor, Children Aged 2–10, Users/Past Users, 10/08. Based upon calorically equivalent comparison.
2 Terms and Conditions apply.
3 Offer valid through 3/31/12. Terms and Conditions apply.
4 100% of the DRI for children 4–8 years of age for Vitamins B6 and K in 1500 mL.
5 WIC Is A Registered Service Mark Of The U.S. Department Of Agriculture For USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants And Children. Please check with your WIC clinic to find out if this product is authorized in your state. If not, ask clinic staff how you might obtain this product.