I think I was spoilt with the boys when it comes to eating, they are the type of kids that are willing to try pretty much everything, and Reuben in particular is a sucker for fruit and veg. I think if you offered him a bowl of mangoes, he would take it over almost all other snacks in a heartbeat. Imagine my shock when Edith comes along as a super picky eater, born into a household where “nope, I don’t like it” before even trying is simply unheard of. When she was tiny, beige was the name of the game – and whilst her fave food is still totally plain pasta, she’s improved to eat foods where I can blend the fruit or veg and she is none the wiser, but she will still pick out any veg chunks she lays her eyes on. Eating a bowl of fruit of any kind? Absolutely not.
With that in mind, I can’t help but worry about the nutritional impact her fussiness will have on her. Is she getting enough of those essential minerals and vitamins? What else can I try to get more into her and why is she so different to the boys in this regard? It’s something I know a lot of parents worry about, and with the return to school looming, you’ll probably see those lists of “approved” foods at preschools and schools for packed lunches and gaze at your own beige, fruitless offering wondering what the staff must think. If you’re reading this, the chances are you are facing some of the same struggles as me, so here are a few ways in which I help to balance my picky eater’s diet and get those essential vitamins into them!
1. Blend it baby!
Blending fruit and veg into things like pasta sauce, curry, bolognese, stews and pretty much anything else you can think of is one way to ensure it’s getting into your fussy eater. Edith is obsessed with my chicken curry – it’s got a minimum of 2 carrots, a pepper and possibly, depending on what’s in the fridge, a courgette too. All blended into the sauce. I do the same with bolognese, usually peppers and carrots, not forgetting that tomato base – it all helps.
2. Shake, shake, shake
I’ve been using PaediaSure Shake** through the summer to get those essential vitamins and minerals into the kids replace with to support the kids healthy growth and immunity. PaediaSure Shake contains 26 vitamins and minerals in each shake which is a 6 in 1 supplement with kid approved flavours (Edith likes the strawberry best, Toby the chocolate). To them, it feels like they are just getting a morning treat, but for me I know that they are getting something that will support their growth and immune system*, setting them up for the rest of the day.
3. Think outside the box
One of the things I’ve discovered is adding fruit or veg in a creative way can *sometimes* help Edith to at least try, failing that, Paediasure actually have some fab recipes that can give your child that little boost in their grub without them realising it. One of Edith’s absolute fav breakfasts is pancakes, adding PaediaSure Shake to them is a tasty win!
Try PaediaSureShake UK with your little ones and let me know what your favourite recipe is to use with them! Here’s a cheeky 20% discount off your order from me to you – just use code BTS20.
*Contains essential fatty acids which are needed for normal growth and development of children. This beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of alpha-linolenic (ALA) and 10 g of linoleic acid (LA). Contains vitamin D which contributes to the normal function of the immune system in children. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Ask your healthcare professional for guidance regarding your child’s specific nutritional needs.
**PaediaSure Shake has been used as part of a paid partnership
