My oldest is a high school senior. Be warned: this will not be the last time you hear me tell you this. Just this morning my walking partner, Laura, whom you met on the 200th episode celebration, was asking me how I felt about it. I told her I had mixed emotions. On one hand, I am so sad for this human being to leave my house. He is fun and cool and takes up a lot of energy and space in my house. I will deeply miss him. On the other hand, I know he’s ready to launch. Senioritis has kicked in fully and he’s ready for new adventures and experiences outside of his home.

I also confessed, “But I have to admit: meals are going to get more interesting when he’s gone!” 

He likes everything deconstructed: protein, veggie, carb all separated. While my younger one appreciates a lot of flavor combinations, my older one is simple. I’ve never complained about how he ate because what he likes is solid. In his ideal world, he would take half of his plate and put some sort of meat on it, a quarter with veggies and a quarter with carbs. 

My younger one likes mixes. Specifically, he likes pasta. I’m a huge fan of Banza pasta and make that every time I’m cooking solely for my husband, younger son, and I.

The problem

While I don’t feel like I have picky eaters, I recognize they like to eat differently. And I’ve had a lot of conversations with other moms who have the same struggle. Plus, let’s face it: as our kids get older, they want more control of everything. This is normal as they grow; my challenge is giving them the chance to have control while still offering foods that will make my teen athletes fuel and perform well.

The challenge is having meals that give them control but are still healthy. After all, the precooked chicken flatbread sandwiches and taquitos in my freezer are well within their scope of making, but due to the salt content and high processed foods, it’s not something I want them grabbing on the daily.

The solution

Enter make-your-own buffet style dinners. These have been a lifesaver in giving my kids control over what they eat, but still feeling good about the offerings from which they choose.

Today I want to offer you some of the meals I provide my family to fit this bill. I’m sure I’ve missed some, so reach out on Instagram and let me know what works for your family.

Whatever the meal, I typically line all the options up on the counter and let everyone go through buffet style. Sometimes I impose some boundaries (you need to choose at least one vegetable) but for the most part I let them guide and bite my tongue when their plate doesn’t end up rainbow-colored.

Picky eaters? Give them control with these buffet-style options

Burrito Bowls

• Grilled chicken
• Grilled beef
• Pulled pork
• Brown rice
• Riced cauliflower
• Tomatoes
• Pico
• Black beans
• Charro beans
• Sauteed kale
• Guacamole
• Cheese
• Sour cream

Big Salad – Save leftovers or make extra to save

(Credit goes to one of the members of our Free Facebook Group)

• Mixed greens
• Chopped romaine
• Roasted vegetables: asparagus, brussels sprouts, beets
• Nuts – pumpkin seeds
• Roasted chickpeas
• Jicama
• Pickled items: pickles, banana peppers, 
• Carby: corn, beans, grains like farro, quinoa, rice or buckwheat, fruit (grapefruit, oranges, apples, blueberries)

Make your own pizza

I feel like you’ve got this one. Who hasn’t done make your own pizza?

Stuffed sweet potatoes

Click here for a list of suggestions for Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Thanks to One Lovely Life for such creative options!

Baked potato bar

• BBQ chicken
• Buffalo shredded chicken/pork
• Taco meat (meat or lentil/black bean mix)

• Chili meat (vegetarian or meat or both)
• Bacon
• Broccoli
• Chopped asparagus
• Roasted cauliflower
• Edamame
• Salsa
• Grilled/carmelized onion
• Cheese
• Sour cream or plain greek yogurt

Omelete

Okay, maybe this one is more customized and not able to do a buffet-style (unless you have a full time chef, which if that were the case why would you bother reading this?).

• Sauteed veggies
• Kimchi
• Goat cheese
• Mexican flair: pico, avocado, mexican cheese
• Denver: ham, cheese,
• Leftover fried rice (Taste of Home)
• Big Country: bacon, potatoes, cheese
• Italian Pizza: mushrooms, onion, mozzarella cheese topped with marinara sauce

Give these a shot, and hopefully your picky eaters will feel in control and willing to create their own meal that fuels them well.

Links mentioned:

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Amy.connell@gracedhealth.com

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Amy