Meal Plan For Picky Eaters

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Listonic team

Nov 22, 2024

Feeding picky eaters at home? Our 7-day meal plan for picky eaters tackles this challenge with tasty, kid-friendly options. Plus, we'll help you convert these meals into a smart shopping list. Let's make mealtime enjoyable for everyone!

Meal plan grocery list

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Dairy & eggs

Eggs

Cheese

Milk

Bakery icon

Bakery

Whole grain bread

Tortillas

Meats icon

Meats

Turkey

Chicken

Pork chops

Beef

Pepperoni

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Fresh grocery

Lettuce

Apples

Sweet potatoes

Carrots

Broccoli

Corn

Strawberries

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Dry goods

Cereal

Macaroni

Rice

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Cans & jars

Tuna

Applesauce

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Snacks & sweets

Peanut butter

Jelly

Guacamole

Meal plan overview

Feeding picky eaters? Our 7-day meal plan for picky eaters tackles this challenge with tasty, kid-friendly options. It's designed to make mealtime enjoyable for everyone.

With a variety of flavors and foods, this plan is a great way to introduce new tastes while keeping meals fun and appealing.

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Foods to eat

  • Simple Proteins: Grilled chicken, turkey slices, or fish sticks.

  • Whole Grains: Plain pasta, brown rice, or whole grain bread.

  • Mild Vegetables: Carrots, cucumbers, or peas, either raw or lightly cooked.

  • Fruits: Apples, bananas, or berries, which are often more acceptable to picky eaters.

  • Dairy Products: Cheese sticks, yogurt, or milk.

  • Smoothies: Combining fruits with yogurt or milk for a nutritious treat.

  • Simple Snacks: Rice cakes, plain crackers, or popcorn.

Tip

Introduce new foods slowly and pair them with familiar favorites to gradually expand their palate.

Foods not to eat

  • Spicy Foods: Anything with too much heat or strong spices.

  • Complex Mixtures: Dishes where ingredients are heavily mixed, like casseroles or stews.

  • Strong Flavors: Foods with intense or unfamiliar flavors, such as blue cheese or olives.

  • Overly Textured Foods: Items with unusual or challenging textures, like tofu or certain seafood.

  • Large Pieces: Foods that are not bite-sized or easy to handle.

  • Highly Processed Foods: While often preferred, they should be limited for health reasons.

  • Unknown Foods: Introduce new items slowly and in small amounts.

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Main benefits

The Meal Plan For Picky Eaters is crafted to accommodate individuals with selective taste preferences. This plan focuses on introducing a variety of flavors and textures gradually. It includes familiar favorites while incorporating new and nutritious options. By promoting a positive and relaxed approach to trying new foods, the plan aims to broaden the palate and encourage a diverse and balanced diet over time.

Recommended nutrient breakdown

Protein: 15%

Fat: 25%

Carbs: 50%

Fiber: 5%

Other: 5%

How to budget on this meal plan

To budget this meal plan better, focus on buying in bulk, choosing generic brands, and utilizing sales. Prioritize versatile staples like rice, oats, and potatoes. Plan meals around seasonal produce like apples and tomatoes for savings. Consider homemade alternatives for items like granola, marinara sauce, and guacamole to cut costs.

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Extra tips

Simple, appealing snacks for picky eaters:

  • Peanut butter and banana slices
  • String cheese with whole wheat crackers
  • Apple slices with caramel dip
  • Cheese quesadilla
  • Homemade trail mix with cereal and raisins
  • Fruit smoothie with yogurt
  • Carrot sticks with ranch dip

For picky eaters, enticing and nutritious beverage options are essential. Fruit smoothies with yogurt offer a delicious and healthy treat. Milk, whether cow's or plant-based, provides essential nutrients. Freshly squeezed fruit juices, like orange or apple, are great for a vitamin boost. Lastly, herbal teas like peppermint or chamomile can be soothing and enjoyable.

Dealing with picky eaters can be challenging, but it’s about finding nutritious foods that appeal to their preferences. Try incorporating their favorite fruits and vegetables into meals and experiment with smoothies that include a mix of fruits, vegetables, and a protein source like yogurt or a protein powder. Offering a variety of whole grains can also introduce new textures and flavors in a subtle way, and using healthy fats like avocado in dishes can enhance their appeal.

Meal plan suggestion

Day 1

  • Breakfast:Scrambled eggs with cheese and whole grain toast
  • Lunch:Turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce on whole wheat bread, and apple slices
  • Dinner:Homemade chicken nuggets with sweet potato fries and steamed carrots
  • Calories🔥: 1600
    Fat💧: 65g
    Carbs🌾: 150g
    Protein🥩: 90g

Day 2

  • Breakfast:Oatmeal with honey and sliced bananas
  • Lunch:Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup
  • Dinner:Spaghetti with marinara sauce and a side of green beans
  • Calories🔥: 1500
    Fat💧: 55g
    Carbs🌾: 180g
    Protein🥩: 60g

Day 3

  • Breakfast:Yogurt with granola and berries
  • Lunch:Ham and cheese roll-up with cucumber slices and ranch dip
  • Dinner:Baked fish sticks with mashed potatoes and peas
  • Calories🔥: 1600
    Fat💧: 60g
    Carbs🌾: 170g
    Protein🥩: 85g

Day 4

  • Breakfast:Pancakes with maple syrup and a side of fruit salad
  • Lunch:Chicken quesadilla with a side of guacamole
  • Dinner:Beef meatballs with rice and steamed broccoli
  • Calories🔥: 1700
    Fat💧: 70g
    Carbs🌾: 180g
    Protein🥩: 80g

Day 5

  • Breakfast:French toast with strawberries
  • Lunch:Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole grain bread with carrot sticks
  • Dinner:Homemade pizza with cheese and pepperoni, and a side salad
  • Calories🔥: 1750
    Fat💧: 75g
    Carbs🌾: 190g
    Protein🥩: 85g

Day 6

  • Breakfast:Cereal with milk and sliced banana
  • Lunch:Tuna salad sandwich with a side of apple slices
  • Dinner:Grilled chicken with baked potato and corn on the cob
  • Calories🔥: 1600
    Fat💧: 60g
    Carbs🌾: 170g
    Protein🥩: 90g

Day 7

  • Breakfast:Smoothie with banana, yogurt, and honey
  • Lunch:Macaroni and cheese with a side of steamed green beans
  • Dinner:Pork chops with applesauce, roasted sweet potatoes, and peas
  • Calories🔥: 1650
    Fat💧: 65g
    Carbs🌾: 175g
    Protein🥩: 85g

Download the FREE grocery list for this meal plan

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Want to learn more?

⚠️Keep in mind

As with any dietary change, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before changing your dietary habits.