Overcome the challenge of motivating a picky eater to try healthy foods by involving her in the food preparation process. With your supervision, there are many healthy dishes your child can make and then eat with enjoyment.
Supply your child with a banana, a big scoop of peanut butter and a dull butter knife. Show him how to slice the banana into coin-shaped pieces and spread a small amount of peanut butter on each slice. Give him a fork to eat his nutritious creation.
Quesadillas contain bread and cheese, which most children like. Increase the nutritional content by having your child add her own vegetables. Create a quesadilla assembly line for your child that starts with the soft taco shell and cheese, and then follows a row of dishes containing cut up foods such as onion, tomatoes, red peppers and broccoli. Once your child has added her choice of ingredients, have her place another soft taco on top and then cook it for her in a frying pan.
Entice your child to eat fresh salad by having him help prepare the ingredients. Have him wash, dry and tear lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces. Supply him with clean, children's scissors as a safer alternative to a paring knife for cutting up softer vegetables such as peppers and onions. Make a homemade vinaigrette using olive oil, vinegar and spices, and let him shake together the ingredients in a container with a lid.