Your picky eater may be like my picky eater – last (school) year, my oldest child (and pickiest eater) ate peanut butter and jelly 4 days a week (Friday was Pizza Day). Now, with school starting today, I’m hoping if he’ll branch out a little, because he added more lunch choices this summer. But if your child won’t budge and requests PB & J (or nut or soy butter), here’s how we survived it! (Read More after the jump)
Keep it Healthy: While I made Peanut Butter and Jelly 4 days a week, I kept it healthy. I only bought peanut butter made with peanuts and salt (no added palm oil or sugar) and I used pure fruit spread (no sugar or other things added). I also tried to buy organic versions as much as possible. I only used whole grains. Basically, it had to be good for him.
5 Ways to Pump up PB & J
1. Cut and decorate the sandwich with a funny face – I added yogurt drops for eyes, and cut the mouth out with a candy corn shaped cookie cutter.
2. Experiment with Different Shapes
Use Cookie Cutters to make your child’s PB & J fun or get creative with your knife.
3. Use Pita Bread (either toasted or not).
4. Find a cool shaped bread – we’re crazy about Pepperidge Farm 100% Wheat Goldfish Bread
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5.Why not grab some whole grain crackers (you can sub in gluten free crackers)
I usually tried to add some more protein, like yogurt (I froze the tubes) or nuts, fruit or veggies, or applesauce. Try to buy organic or healthy versions of yogurt tubes and unsweetened applesauce.
There’s nothing wrong with giving a little treat -just keep it small or pick a healthy version (like organic gummy bears or Get Unreal’s candy).
Do you have a picky eater who only ate one kind of food last year like this?
Love the idea to freeze the yogurt tubes. And I’ll have to look for the Gooldfish bread! That’s one sure way to peak some interest in lunch! (I hope!)