Feeding Picky Eaters on Meatless Friday

Barb Szyszkiewicz brainstorms Meatless-Friday meal ideas that will satisfy the most discriminating child's (or adult's) palate.

It's no secret that my husband doesn't like fish unless it's salmon. I don't usually care to eat eggplant or mushrooms. And over the years, we endured about 15 straight years when at least one child refused food, even food they liked, if it was served with sauce already on it.

I am pleased to report that all our children went through that stage — and eventually outgrew it. They're all good cooks now, as adults, and very adventurous eaters. One of my kids wouldn't touch a green bean until he went to Boy Scout camp one summer and discovered that he was extra hungry after all those camp activities all day, and that green beans are actually good! (Hang in there, moms; there is hope!)

Meatless Fridays Can Still Happen in Families with Picky Eaters

When other parents learn that Catholic Mom offers a weekly Meatless-Friday recipe feature, I frequently hear, "That would never work in my house." Or "My kids are too picky to eat fish!" Or "We eat cheese pizza every Friday in Lent."

I'd like to reassure you that it can work in your house, you don't have to serve fish (ever), and there's no shame in serving cheese pizza every Friday of the year if that's what your family enjoys.

We have a cookbook's worth of recipes here for you to choose from. They range from breakfast for dinner to simple soups, sandwiches, or salads to fish dinners that are easy to make ... and some that are a little more complicated.

11 Tips for Feeding a Picky Eater (on Meatless Friday or any day!)

• Try breakfast for dinner! 
• Skip the fish. There are plenty of other ways to serve a meatless meal. (See also: cheese pizza every Friday.)
• Serve pasta; it's so easy to make without meat.
• If you think someone will refuse the entree, serve some robust side dishes you know they like, and let them fill up on those instead of the main course.
• Let the kids help you cook! I found that when I involved my school-age children in planning and preparing the meal, they were more likely to eat it, even if it was a new food.
• Introduce new foods frequently. Make a point of trying new foods yourself, too. But serve those new foods alongside dishes you know your family does enjoy, so they have options in case they truly don't like the new menu item.
• Encourage your kids to try a new food, but don't force them. Sometimes it will take a few dinners before they're ready to taste something new.
• Hold the sauce. Instead, serve the sauce on the side. It's a rare child who doesn't like to dip their food! 
• Encourage politeness. Teach your child to say, "No, thank you" when something is offered that they don't like or don't want to try. Make sure they know that saying, "EWWWWWWWWWWW!" or pretending to vomit are unacceptable responses to the offer of a new food.
• Start early. The more variety a toddler has in his diet, the more likely he'll be to continue to try new foods later in life.
• Let them leave something to the side. I'll cook with mushrooms, since everyone in the family but me likes them, but I don't eat them. I'll pick them out of my portion and put them on the side of my plate. Since all the kids are out on their own now, my husband gets those mushrooms all to himself instead of having to beat one of the kids to my plate at the end of the meal.

Disclaimer: I do not use the term "picky eater" to refer to a child (or adult) with food allergies, sensory issues, or other special needs that may make feeding them a challenge. While some of the tips above may apply in those situations, I recommend that you consult with a medical professional such as your child's doctor or allergist, or a registered dietician, for meal-planning advice.