Here's what I have always done for my 1/2 dayers over the years. When they get home it's lunch time, but they claim they "aren't hungry"...although the mood tells a different story.
Get a cute divided plate. Target always has them. Call it a "snack plate". No pressure to eat a whole meal.
Put anything and everything you can on toothpicks. Kids will eat anything with a toothpick stuck in it. Amazing.
No big sandwiches...just little healthy snacks.
Works every time.
My friend Sarah does this for her little one with an ice cube tray. She puts the same thing in a few of the spots so she doesn't have to find 12 different healthy snacks... just about 4 or 5!
ReplyDeleteMy 8 year old walked by as I was reading this post. He said "why don't we eat healthy like that?". He even called his 10 yo brother over to look at the pic. They both asked if they can get some plates like that. And I told them ABSOLUTELY! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteYes! We do this too! We have 2 red Target plates just like this. I let them make their own "snack plates" and it is such a treat for them. Great reminder to pull those plates out.
ReplyDeleteI've started rolling up my daughter's ham like that because for some strange reason it tastes better to her like that. WHATEVER works!
ReplyDeleteWe have the monkey plates! They LOVE when we use them!
ReplyDeleteI've been known to do this, but sometimes I don't think of it. My 10yo dear daughter still eats like a 5yo, and this would work like a charm many days. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. I think it just gels so well with my ideas about feeding kids, and picky eaters, by making food as accessible as possible.
ReplyDeleteI'd be really honored if you would visit my blog and take a look. It's http://thepizzaprinciple.blogspot.com. Thanks so much.
This is great! Every day for lunch I make a "combo plate" for my 3 year old, but we don't have a cute divided plate. I'll try it the moment the combo on a plain plate stops working...it is just a matter of time, lol.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this tip. My son has been sick for a few days and I can't get anything down him. I think this will really help.
ReplyDeleteI giggled at the toothpick notion - so true as I discovered that as well!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing, my 5 year old wants to eat everything with a toothpick now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what it is about toothpicks?
I'll give the plate a try too.