

Picky Eater Meal Prep: 10 Easy Tips
- 1. Start with a Family Meeting 👨👩👧👦
- 2. Plan Meal Prep Around a Core Ingredient 🍗🍳🍚
- 3. Customize with "Mix-and-Match" Bars 🥙🍱
- 4. Meal Prep in Portions 🥡
- 5. Sneak in Nutrients 🥕🍌
- 6. Rotate Favorites 🔄
- 7. Stock the Freezer ❄️
- 8. Focus on Snacks and Sides 🍇🥕
- 9. Keep It Simple ✅
- 10. Reinvent Your Leftovers ♻️
- Work with Our Nutrition Coach for More Ideas! 💪🍴
Meal prep is a powerful tool for busy families to save time, eat healthier, and reduce stress during the week. But when your kids all want different things or refuse to eat the same thing twice it can feel like a never ending challenge. With a little creativity and planning, you can create meals everyone will love without turning your kitchen into chaos. Let’s explore how to simplify meal prep and make it work for your family.🚀
1. Start with a Family Meeting 👨👩👧👦
The first step is communication. Gather your family together and ask each person for their input:
- What are their favorite meals?
- Which foods are absolute no-gos?
- Are there any meals they’d like to try?
Involving your kids in the process makes them feel valued and reduces complaints later. It’s also a great way to teach them about food planning and nutrition!
2. Plan Meal Prep Around a Core Ingredient 🍗🍳🍚
Pick a versatile main ingredient to build meals around:
- Chicken: Use it for tacos 🌮, pasta 🍝, or salads 🥗.
- Ground Turkey: Perfect for spaghetti, burritos 🌯, or sliders 🍔.
- Roasted Veggies: Serve as sides, mix into grain bowls, or even as pizza toppings 🍕.
This method keeps meals diverse but manageable.
3. Customize with "Mix-and-Match" Bars 🥙🍱
Kids love having choices! Create DIY meal stations:
- Taco Bar 🌮: Offer tortillas, rice, beans, meat, and toppings.
- Pasta Bar 🍝: Provide different pastas, sauces, and proteins.
- Snack Plates 🍎🧀: Let them pick from cheese, crackers, fruits, nuts, and veggies.
Everyone gets their way without extra effort from you! 🙌
4. Meal Prep in Portions 🥡
Use individual containers for personalized meals. Label them with names or days of the week for easy grab-and-go options. This works wonders for picky eaters and busy schedules!
5. Sneak in Nutrients 🥕🍌
If veggies are a no-go, get creative:
- Blend spinach into smoothies 🥤.
- Mix shredded zucchini into muffins 🧁.
- Puree carrots into pasta sauce 🍝.
These sneaky tricks keep meals nutritious and kid-approved!
6. Rotate Favorites 🔄
Let each child pick their favorite meal for the week. Rotate who gets to choose to keep it fair. It’s a fun way to introduce them to new dishes while ensuring everyone feels included.
7. Stock the Freezer ❄️
Batch-cook and freeze family favorites for busy days:
- Lasagna (customize for meat-lovers or vegetarians) 🧀.
- Soups and stews 🍲.
- Homemade chicken nuggets 🍗.
Having go-to meals on hand keeps stress levels low.
8. Focus on Snacks and Sides 🍇🥕
If the main dish isn’t a hit, offer healthy sides like the following:
- Apple slices with peanut butter 🍎🥜.
- Yogurt with granola 🍶.
- Cheese and whole-grain crackers 🧀.
- Veggies with hummus 🥒.
This ensures they still get balanced nutrition—even on picky days.
9. Keep It Simple ✅
Stick to the basics, wholesome recipes that are quick and easy to prepare. Kids are more likely to eat simpler meals, and it saves you time and energy.
Check out our recent blog on 10 Healthy Lunches in Under 5 Minutes
10. Reinvent Your Leftovers ♻️
Turn leftovers into new meals:
- Roast chicken 🐓 becomes wraps for lunch 🌯.
- Veggies 🥦 transform into a breakfast frittata 🍳.
- Pasta 🍝 gets a new life as a baked casserole.
A little creativity can go a long way!
Work with Our Nutrition Coach for More Ideas! 💪🍴
Struggling to create meal plans that fit your family’s needs? Our Nutrition Coach is here to help! All of our coaches have children of their own and know the struggles of family planning. From personalized meal prepping tips to personalized macronutrient tracking plans, we’ll help you build a healthier, happier household.