Meatless Meals for Picky Eaters

Feeding picky eaters is challenging for many parents as they go through a seemingly endless struggle to get their kids to eat something nutritious during mealtimes. You may find some success by introducing meatless meals that are simple and taste delicious. Children need a well-balanced diet for healthy growth and development, so introducing plant-based foods can be advantageous for ensuring they are getting the nutrients they need.

As you encourage your picky eater to explore more options, having various meatless meal ideas for kids on hand can help you switch things up and improve their eating experiences.

Understanding Picky Eaters

Picky eating is normal, and children usually grow out of it eventually. However, it can also become a serious problem. Kids are often particular about food due to health, development, or behavioral reasons. They may dislike certain tastes, smells, or textures. They could acquire the habit of being finicky eaters if they think becoming fussy at mealtimes means they might get better-tasting alternatives.

Tips to manage picky eating include:

• Set a mealtime schedule to help your child know what to expect and avoid snacking between meals.
• Limit the high-calorie drinks you offer, such as juice, soft drinks, or milk.
• Eliminate distractions during mealtimes and make the atmosphere pleasant.
• Avoid force-feeding, as it can be stressful for you and your child.
• Offer a variety of foods so that your child has options.
• Try not to threaten or punish your child if they don’t comply. Avoiding such power struggles allows your child to associate mealtimes with enjoyable experiences.
• Try fun strategies to help ease your child into healthy eating, like exploring picture books for picky eaters together.
• Find healthy, plant-based meals for kids who don’t like meat.

Delicious Meatless Meals for Picky Kids

Various plant-based meal options can win over your picky eater and supplement some of the key nutrients found in meat. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time, these delicious and nourishing meatless options can be perfect for fussy, selective eaters.

Breakfast

Start your child’s day with these meatless breakfast ideas:

• Nutrient-rich smoothies: Smoothies are a great choice for picky eaters who are especially fussy about food in the mornings. Since fruit smoothies are naturally sweet and offer plenty of combinations, they are a perfect nutrient-rich breakfast. The Superfood Smoothies from Nurture Life are yummy, with no added sugar. They’re already prepared, so you don’t have to deal with a loud, messy blender.
• Egg burritos: Combine your favorite vegetarian toppings with scrambled eggs and wrap them inside whole-grain tortillas for a tasty, meatless breakfast. Consider inviting your child to roll the burrito with you — they may be more likely to eat it if they are part of the assembly process.
• French toast sticks: Nurture Life’s French Toast Sticks contain a generous amount of whole grains, making them an energizing breakfast dish. The dish comes with scrambled eggs, packing 15 grams of protein to ensure a nutritious start to your child’s day.

Lunch

Make lunchtime more enticing with these healthy meal ideas:

• White sauce pasta: Nurture Life’s creamy White Mac & Cheese is a favorite power food for picky kids. This delicious and highly nutritious meatless meal contains parmesan, cheddar, and a secret vegetable blend. We serve it with kid-friendly broccoli for a well-rounded lunch.
• Pita pockets: A falafel pita pocket with a garlic, chickpea hummus dip is a great lunch option for picky eaters. Throw in some carrots, cucumbers, or your vegetable of choice. The outer pita can conceal some of the yummy, healthy ingredients, and kids may be more likely to take a bite.
• Pizza pockets: Pizza tends to be a hit with kids, even if they are selective eaters. Nurture Life’s Cheese Pizza Pockets are a great lunchtime option for kids. They are packed with fiber and paired with yummy broccoli. Their flaky outer crust holds marinara, ricotta, mozzarella, and butternut squash for extra nutrients and flavor.

Dinner

Looking for yummy dishes to serve for supper? Try these vegetarian kids’ meals:

• Macaroni and cheese: Skip the box and try the delicious, nutritious Mac & Cheese from Nurture Life. We use whole-grain pasta and a creamy butternut squash cheddar cheese sauce that’s packed with vitamins. Kids won’t even notice the vegetables blended into this scrumptious meal.
• Tofu meatballs: Tofu is an alternative to meat and is among the best meals for vegetarian kids. Serve tofu meatballs with whole-wheat pasta for a delicious and nutritious dinner.
• Ravioli: If your child likes pizza, they may enjoy the Cheesy Ravioli from Nurture Life. It features a similar yummy combination of marinara sauce and cheese, and you may get your child to branch out into the tasty world of pasta. Our Cheesy Ravioli comes with snappy green beans on the side.

Snacks

If your picky eater prefers snacking, here are a few healthy, meat-free options:

• Overnight oats: The Oaties from Nurture Life are a ridiculously easy and scrumptious snack. They come in various flavors, like Very Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Bread, and Blueberry Bliss, so your child can choose one that suits their palate.
• Fruit sandwiches: Another great on-the-go snack for kids is one of the Super Sammies from Nurture Life. These crustless sandwiches are packed with yummy sunflower seed butter and real fruit, with significantly less sugar than other brands.
• Rolled oats: Try the Mighty Bites from Nurture Life if your child wants a chewy treat without all the sugar and mess of a traditional granola bar. These rolled oats bites are available in different flavors, from Snickerdoodle to Chocolate Chip.

3 Tips for Encouraging Meatless Meals

Unless your child is a vegetarian or has little desire for meat, getting them to enjoy meatless meals may not be easy. These tips will encourage them to explore meat-free options more:

1. Introduce new recipes: Frequently introduce new recipes to maintain variety and keep your child interested.
2. Start small: Introduce new meal options in small portions. You can use them as a side dish with a meal your child already loves. Celebrate kids when they try unfamiliar options for greater encouragement.
3. Involve your child: Allow your child to choose from a small selection of meal ideas and help out in the kitchen. They may be more inclined to try new foods if they participate in the meal preparation process.

Explore Meatless Meal Options With Nurture Life

Remember that your child may react differently to each meal — they may accept some dishes and reject others. Experiment with various recipes and meal options from Nurture Life to find what works best for your family.

Nurture Life understands kids. Their expert approach to making easy-to-prepare, nutritious, and delicious meals makes them the go-to option for quick, nourishing dishes for all types of eaters.

Find more tips and tricks for feeding picky eaters on our blog, and shop the healthy meal plans from Nurture Life today!