Eat real food.

One of the things I loved about having industrial food in the house is how the kids could make it themselves, and not bug me all the time. But I love the family dinners we have now even more. Still, “after school snacks” and stuff… it’d be nice if they could pop in a frozen pizza. Maybe someday, when I find time to make and freeze them, and when I get them trained to eat real whole-wheat pizza crust. Meanwhile, no.

But — and here’s the cool part — I have found the secret to getting my pickiest eater to snack on carrots and apples. It may not sound like much, but this is a kid who once ate nothing but combinations of white flour and milk. (That is, grilled cheese, cheese pizza, cold cereal, etc.)

How did I do it? You’re gonna smack me when I tell you how easy it is.

1. Slice up some carrots into sticks, and some apples into thin wedges.
2. Put them out, and snack on them.
3. Important: You must not, under any circumstances, suggest that the kid try some, or even offer any.

If your kid is very picky, you might need to peel them for now, but that’s ok. It’s not forever. It will get better.

How does it work?

Kids love to steal your food. Right? If you’re a mom, you know this; when’s the last time you had a drink all to yourself? If you put out a dish of food, and follow #3 to the letter, you have a really good shot at improving your picky eater’s diet overnight. And who knows where you can go from there? Cucumber slices may be right around the corner!

I know it’s not “enough.” But it’s a start. If you have a picky eater, it’s nice to know it’s possible to begin transitioning to real food.