Getting Picky Eaters To Eat Healthy

Young kids can be notoriously picky eaters.

So, how can you get them to try something other than the usual chicken nuggets, pizza and french fries?

All week on The Early Show, Real Simple magazine is sharing advice from its special family issue.

On Wednesday, the magazine's Kris Connell offered some creative, but simple ways to make healthy foods seem more appealing.

"The thing with picky eaters is, just because they don't eat it this week doesn't mean they won't eat it a month from now. So keep trying to introduce new things," Connell urges.

Among her tips:

Let kids use their fingers

Connell suggested starting "with something that's familiar and tried and true, the grilled cheese. This is all about a natural inclination that kids love to dip things and dunk. So, we worked with that theme with all of this. So, grilled cheese, cut into four.

"And then, this is a bowl of tomato soup. Soup can feel like a bit of a foreign thing for kids. But if you're dipping, it makes the whole experience a little bit more fun. And if you run into a little resistance, you can call it 'big kid ketchup' with the little ones. That might go over well.

"It can come right out of the can. It doesn't have to be something you're spending hours making."

Disguise protein as a dip

Chili is something to graduate to, Connell said: "My daughter loves salsa. So, if you have a kid who loves chips and salsa, maybe chili is the next thing. (Try using) some pita chips that you can buy in a bag, or just take a pita and slice it up and toast it for a few minutes, and have the kids dip in.

"You can sneak soybeans into your kids' diet. Defrost them, shell them, mix them in the food processor with a tablespoon of yogurt and a little pinch of salt, and you can serve it even with pretzel sticks, because they're getting so much in here that it's not bad to have the pretzel sticks or broccoli.

EDAMAME DIP RECIPE

Creamy, slightly sweet and packed with protein, edamame is a smart solution for kids who spurn most meats. The dip is easy to make: Combine a 14 ounce package of frozen, shelled edamame in a food processor with 1 tablespoon yogurt and some salt. Serve with pretzel sticks, broccoli florets or anything else your child likes. You can also use frozen green peas in the dip.

Tempt them with foods they love

"You can do pork chops," Connell said. "You can do chicken. But we really want to make one meal for the family. You can eat it your way. And you can slice it up for the kids and have them dunk into a little bit of applesauce. Or maybe, if your child is really picky, you can put some berries in there and jazz it up that way."

Serve veggies with ketchup

"If you're having trouble selling the green beans," Connell suggested, "try 'green fries!' They look like french fries. And use a variety of dips. It gives kids a chance to try some different things."

Piece de resistance

Use long, sliced carrots as "chop sticks" for eating macaroni and cheese.