This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click through and make purchases through those links, I can earn a commission. For more information, feel free to see our full disclosure.
This post is sponsored by Happy Family at Target but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
When Little first started eating solids, he was a great eater. We offered him a variety of foods and he seemed to enjoy them all. And then somewhere along the line, he has decided to become quite the opinionated eater. It’s chicken nuggets or peanut butter sandwiches around here most days. And to be honest, it can sometimes be a challenge to know how best to encourage healthy eating. Little is growing healthy and strong and he’s as smart as a whip. But, it’s still really important to me to be sure he’s getting a proper diet that is well balanced and healthy.
So, what’s a mama to do? I actually brought this up with our pediatrician at our last appointment to make sure I was doing what I could do. Today, I’m excited to partner with Happy Family Brands to share a few tips to encourage healthy eating for picky toddlers.
Tips to Encourage Healthy Eating for Picky Toddlers
I am certainly no expert, but here are some of the things I’ve been trying around here to make sure that my picky eater is getting all the nutrients he needs to thrive.
Offer Healthy Snacks During the Day
Now if your toddler is anything like mine, they might not always want to sit down and eat a meal, but they will raid the pantry all day long if you let them. We have designated snack times around here and as Little has become more picky about his food, I too have become more picky about his snacks.
That’s why I was so excited to see these Happy Tot whole milk yogurt pouches with Vitamin D at our local Target. I love pouches like this because they are easy to grab on-the-go and they make great snacks for the playground, too. Each of these pouches is mindfully crafted with priobiotics, no added sugar, and they’re non-GMO and USDA organic.
You can find them at your local Target stores in three different flavors – Banana, Mango & Spinach, Apple & Blackberry, and Strawberry, Banana, Oats, & Chia. Little’s favorite is the strawberry banana!
I’ve compared them with some other organic, whole milk yogurts that we’ve tried in the past, and since Happy Tot whole milk yogurt doesn’t have added sweeteners, the sugar content is way less, which makes me feel better about feeding it to our son. (Bonus – they’re tasty for grown-ups, too…just saying.)
Get Them Involved
One way to encourage healthy eating is to get your kids involved in the process. Let them help you pick out fresh fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Allow them to take part in meal planning or cooking where they can. If you have the space, plant a garden so they can actually grow their own fruits and vegetables. (We’re actually trying this this year and while Little still says he doesn’t want to eat the veggies, I’m hoping that will change as he continues to take care of his garden each day.)
Set a Good Example
If I’ve learned anything as a parent it’s that your kids are watching you. They pay attention to what you say and do and this goes for the dinner table, too. If you want to encourage healthy eating for your children, make sure that you are making good, healthy choices for yourself also. In the same vein, I always make a point to mention how tasty my food is and offer some of it to Little during our meal to give him the opportunity to enjoy it with me.
Have Them Take “Just One Bite”
I think this will look different for each family and depending on the ages of your kids. Our oldest is almost three and is old enough to understand taking just one bit. My strategy is to make sure that there is enough on his plate that he likes so that he doesn’t leave dinner hungry. I’ll also add a small serving of new food or vegetable that I’d like him to try on the side of his plate. Our rule is that if he would like more food than what’s on his plate, he needs to try his veggies or new food.
My thinking is that if he tries it and truly doesn’t like it – then no big deal. We’ll find something else to try on another day. But, I want him to try it and give himself the opportunity to like it.
Do you have any additional tips?
I’d love to know what your tips are for encouraging healthy eating with your toddlers. Be sure to let me know in the comments what you’ve found to work (or not)!
And, if you are looking for a healthy snack idea, be sure to head to your local Target store and check out Happy Tot Yogurt Pouches. They really are such a treat!
Interesting post. These yogurt pouches seem to be very yummy I would love to purchase some for my son as comes in different flavors. Keep sharing such awesome ideas with all the moms.
They are really tasty! We really enjoy them around here! And they are a good, cool treat in the summer, too!
whatever it takes is worth the way to get our children on the right step to good health. Great tips you shared here thanks
I agree! Thank you for stopping by!
These looks great! We have some issues with my eldest sometimes so have to negotiate and usually she will have some healthy choices as long as something nice is coming after! Thanks for sharing with #bloggersbest x
As the mom to a still picky almost 8 year eater, I can definitely commiserate here. And I do agree with all your advice, especially the taking just even one bite. As sometimes they get in their head they won’t like it, but then they will take that one bite only to find out they actually do like and enjoy something. So you never know until you try it is my motto! 🙂
I agree! Sometimes it is totally in their heads. This happens to me too and I have to make myself be willing to just try sometimes. Often, I’m pleasantly surprised!
Great tips! Getting the kids involved did the trick with mine. I offered a variety of healthy items and let them build their own meals. To this day, my daughter still packs healthy fruits and vegetables for her lunch each day.
That is awesome! It’s definitely a work in progress over here, but we are staying positive and not making such a fuss about it. Just continuing to offer healthy foods at each meal and leading by example!
Not making a big thing of it can also help. Toddlers are very stubborn 🙂
Oh, that is so true! They can be stubborn sometimes and even more when we make a big deal about it!
These are great tips for a picky eater! We all have one I know!
Thank you! Like, why do you need to be so picky!
We love Happy Family products! The kids positively eat them up (pun totally intended;). I didn’t know they had all these new things though so will definitely be stocking up next time I’m at Target <3 Jamie
We also really love them! We just recently re-stocked!
These are such great tips!! Pouches are always my go-to when I struggle to fit things ins!
Mine too! I think it’s fun to eat from the pouch – and it’s a good way to pack in extra fruits and veggies!
Love those pouches. My daughter-in-law always has some at hand for us to take with us on days out with the grandchildren and they are very happy to have them.
They are really excellent to have on hand!
Great tips, thank for sharing. I have two great eaters and two picky eaters.
Thanks! Isn’t it funny how they are all so different?!
My children absolutely LOVE these pouches! They’re usually pretty good eaters, but I love these for when we’re on the go, or while Daddy is TDY or deployed. These help us find balance, and I don’t feel guilty giving them to my boys! Thanks for sharing, Mary Leigh!
One of our favorite tips for encouraging healthy eating with them is to offer a balance. They always have something they love on their plate, but we challenge them, too.
This is a great idea – to always have something they love available too! We have really enjoyed these pouches. They are a great addition to our snack rotation!
This is great and so important! I do my best but listening to others tips and tricks is always helpful… Thank you!!
Thank you! I agree. I always enjoy seeing what is working for others, too!
Ha! This reminds me of when I was a kids and my mom had what she called “no thank-you helpings.” We were required to take a small amount of a food, even if we didn’t want it. And we weren’t allowed up from the table until we had finished them!
Oh, I like this idea!
These are great tips and we love the happy tots brand! We’ve been struggling to get Emmett to eat dinner at night . Grr!!
It’s sometimes a struggle for us, too! I just try to make sure that even if he doesn’t want to really eat dinner that I’ve been feeding him well during the day (and we try to still enforce staying at the table with the family during dinner time even if you’re not hungry because, family time.)