25+ Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters {Easy Recipes} - The Girl on Bloor (2024)

Table of Contents

Free Dinner Prep Challenge The Best Recipes for Picky Eaters Delivery Dupes & Restaurant Copycats Freezer-Friendly Homemade Pizza Pockets Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets {Super Easy} Pub-Style Irish Nachos {Super Crispy} Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup {Best Copycat!} Shake Shack Burger {Perfect Copycat} The Best Pita Pizza {3 Ways!} Panda Express Orange Chicken {Copycat} The Best Homemade Big Mac Recipe Instant Pot & Crockpot Recipes Healthy Mac and Cheese {Instant Pot or Stovetop} Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice Meal Prep Bowls Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup {So Easy!} Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe Easiest 2-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken Stir Fries & Skillet Meals Easy Chicken Ramen Noodle Stir Fry {Ready in 30 Minutes!} Lemon Pepper Chicken {Skillet Dinner} One Pot Skillet Lasagna Recipe {30 Minutes} Easy Sausage, Peppers and Onions {Skillet Meal} Homemade Hamburger Helper {One Pot} Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet More Recipes for Picky Eaters Crispy + Juicy Chicken Cutlets {Oven Baked} Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes The Best Dorito Taco Salad {Quick + Easy} Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole {Easy Dinner} Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies Easy Baked Turkey Meatballs Make healthy eating easy! Join our Dinner Prep Pro app. Reader Interactions Leave A Reply! FAQs References

Home » Recipes » Kid-Friendly » 25+ Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters {Easy Recipes}

By Taylor Stinson | Rate Recipe | Posted: 09/04/23 | Updated: 08/31/23

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These healthy meals for picky eaters are so great! Your whole family will enjoy these delicious dinners that can be tweaked for any palate.

25+ Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters {Easy Recipes} - The Girl on Bloor (1)

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The Best Recipes for Picky Eaters

Are you struggling to find healthy meals that the picky eaters in your family will love? I've got you covered! I rounded up the best lunch and dinner ideas for picky eaters that are as healthy as they are delicious. Plus, pretty much all the recipes can be tweaked, so even the fussiest eaters will be happy.

Delivery Dupes & Restaurant Copycats

Stop ordering pizza or getting takeout and make these recipes instead! They're healthier versions of restaurant favourites that any picky eater will enjoy.

Freezer-Friendly Homemade Pizza Pockets

30 minutes minutes

These Freezer-Friendly Homemade Pizza Pockets are SO easy to make using store-bought pizza dough and your favourite pizza toppings.

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Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets {Super Easy}

30 minutes minutes

These Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy fast food at home without the guilt – you can freeze them, too!

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Pub-Style Irish Nachos {Super Crispy}

30 minutes minutes

These Pub-Style Irish Nachos offer a healthier spin on a tasty comfort food and are super easy to make thanks to the frozen potato wedges.

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Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup {Best Copycat!}

40 minutes minutes

This Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the best copycat! It’s easy to make and so delicious and creamy – plus, it's freezer-friendly, too!

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Shake Shack Burger {Perfect Copycat}

30 minutes minutes

This Shake Shack Burger is a perfect copycat from the burger joint complete with Shake sauce – plus, they’re super easy to make at home!

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The Best Pita Pizza {3 Ways!}

30 minutes minutes

This is the Best Pita Pizza Recipe with three flavours: deluxe, margherita and Tex Mex. They’re great for meal prep and freeze beautifully!

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Panda Express Orange Chicken {Copycat}

30 minutes minutes

This Panda Express Orange Chicken recipe tastes just like the takeout version with crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.

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The Best Homemade Big Mac Recipe

45 minutes minutes

This Big Mac recipe tastes just like your favourite McDonald’s burger with juicy hamburger patties, sesame seed buns and secret sauce.

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Instant Pot & Crockpot Recipes

These hands-off dinners are a great way to feed your entire family effortlessly. Try everything from a Instant Pot Mac and Cheese (with veggies added in) to Crockpot Chicken Fajitas that can be served however you desire!

Healthy Mac and Cheese {Instant Pot or Stovetop}

30 minutes minutes

This Healthy Mac and Cheese with broccoli and white cheddar is the best weeknight dinner! Make it in the Instant Pot or on the stove.

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Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice Meal Prep Bowls

35 minutes minutes

These Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice Meal Prep Bowls come together in one pot – all you need is rice, chicken and frozen veggies!

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Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

These Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas are perfect for meal prep! Dump in the ingredients then set it to cook all day for a hands-off dinner.

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6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

This healthy crockpot turkey chili is the most flavourful chili, filled with beans, veggies and turkey, then loaded with toppings.

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Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup {So Easy!}

8 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

This easy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup is a simple way to make your fave comfort food from scratch. The chicken is so juicy and tender!

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Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

This is the Easiest Ever Crockpot Lasagna Recipe – it cooks hands-off all day and is super easy to assemble. Plus, it freezes well!

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Easiest 2-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken

6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

This 2-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken comes together SO easily – you can use it to make tacos, burritos bowls, salads and more.

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Stir Fries & Skillet Meals

These easy meals come together in one pan! Make stir fries with your picky eater's favourite vegetables or try these kid-approved pasta dishes.

40 minutes minutes

This is the EASIEST beef stir fry recipe with the best stir fry sauce made with just two ingredients! It's a great weeknight meal.

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Easy Chicken Ramen Noodle Stir Fry {Ready in 30 Minutes!}

30 minutes minutes

This Chicken Ramen Stir Fry is a delicious budget-friendly dinner that comes together in 30 minutes! You'll love how quick and easy it is.

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Lemon Pepper Chicken {Skillet Dinner}

50 minutes minutes

This Lemon Pepper Chicken comes together so easily in a skillet with the most delicious sauce! Serve it with roasted potatoes and broccoli.

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One Pot Skillet Lasagna Recipe {30 Minutes}

30 minutes minutes

This Skillet Lasagna is SO easy! It takes only 30 minutes to make and comes together in one pan—it's the ultimate weeknight dinner.

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Easy Sausage, Peppers and Onions {Skillet Meal}

30 minutes minutes

This Sausage, Peppers and Onions Skillet is an easy one-pan weeknight dinner made with turkey sausage, bell peppers, onions and pasta sauce.

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Homemade Hamburger Helper {One Pot}

35 minutes minutes

ThisHealthier Homemade Hamburger Helper is a delicious one-pot spin off on your favourite childhood meal – it's got extra veggies, too!

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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet

30 minutes minutes

This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet is an easier way to make this classic Italian dish – and it comes together in about 30 minutes in one pot!

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More Recipes for Picky Eaters

Looking for some more ideas? Here are some of my favourite dishes that can fit anyone's palate. You can customize the sides and/or toppings, so everyone's happy at dinnertime!

Crispy + Juicy Chicken Cutlets {Oven Baked}

1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

These Chicken Cutlets are SO good – plus, they're made on a sheet pan for easy cleanup. Serve them with lemon dill potatoes for a tasty meal!

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Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

55 minutes minutes

These Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are vegetarian and stuffed with black beans, Monterey jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo and jalapenos!

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The Best Dorito Taco Salad {Quick + Easy}

25 minutes minutes

This Dorito Taco Salad is a fun 20-minute dinner idea made with crunchy Cool Ranch Doritos, fresh veggies, cheese and taco sauce.

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Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole {Easy Dinner}

45 minutes minutes

This Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is the perfect family-friendly dish. It's easy, cheesy and full of all the flavours of a burger!

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Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies

55 minutes minutes

These Super Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies are a lighter version of your favourite comfort food in the cutest individual serving sizes!

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Easy Baked Turkey Meatballs

35 minutes minutes

These Easy Baked Turkey Meatballs are freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep! Serve with pasta and zucchini noodles for a healthy dinner.

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25+ Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters {Easy Recipes} - The Girl on Bloor (31)

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Created by Taylor Stinson

Hey there, my name's Taylor! I’m the founder of The Girl on Bloor, a food blog where I share healthy meal prep recipes for busy people. I'm a busy city girl living in downtown Toronto on (you guessed it!) Bloor Street. I've got 10 years experience meal prepping, along with a Master's degree in journalism, and you can find my work across the internet featured on publications such as Buzzfeed, HuffPost, Women's Health, Reader's Digest and more. I also run the awesome 5-Day Meal Prep Challenge, which is a free email course and Facebook group where I share my meal planning strategies and easy meal prep tips and recipes. Be sure to check out my free beginner’s guide to meal prep and follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get my latest recipes and meal prep tips!

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FAQs

What is healthy food for picky eaters on a diet? ›

Picky eaters should eat nutrient-dense foods, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, healthy fats, and familiar dishes prepared in new and creative ways.

Learn More Now ›

What to make for lunch for picky eaters? ›

These lunch box ideas will get the thumbs up from your kids.

1Ham, pineapple and pesto Turkish pizzas. ...
2Easy tuna bento balls. ...
3Dim sim sausage rolls. ...
4Muffin pan mac 'n' cheese cups. ...
5Ham and corn pasta salad. ...
6Cheese and bacon milk bun tray bake. ...
7Mini carbonara quiches. ...
8Tuna, corn and parsley fritters.

More items...

Read The Full Story ›

How can a picky eater lose weight fast? ›

Super picky eaters can lose weight by gradually introducing new foods into their diet, practising portion control, and incorporating physical activity into their routine. Customising a weight loss plan to their preferences is key.

Tell Me More ›

What important nutrients would a picky eater miss out on? ›

Getting enough iron, calcium and vitamin D into your little one each day can be tricky, especially if your toddler is a picky eater. It's important to model healthy eating habits and to continually offer whole foods.

See Details ›

How can I eat healthy and picky? ›

5 Tips On How To Eat Healthy As A Picky Eater

Find healthy foods that you actually enjoy eating. ...
Don't be afraid to experiment with new recipes and ingredients. ...
Use a cook-it-yourself meal prep service to incorporate new ingredients into your diet. ...
Try a fully-cooked meal prep service.

More items...

Nov 17, 2023

Explore More ›

Why am I still a picky eater as an adult? ›

There is no single explanation for why some people become picky eaters. In some cases, children don't outgrow their childhood pickiness, but in others, it is a combination of genetics (DNA) and environment (upbringing).

Know More ›

How do you feed an extremely picky eater? ›

Top 10 tips for picky eaters

Plan family mealtime. Eat meals at the table as a family. ...
Be a role model. ...
Eat at regular times. ...
Promote happy mealtimes. ...
Avoid distractions. ...
Prepare one meal for the family. ...
Listen to your child. ...
Don't pressure, praise, reward, trick or punish.

More items...

Jan 14, 2023

What not to say to a picky eater? ›

10 Things You Should NEVER Say To Picky Eaters

"You've really never had BLANK before?!" ...
"Well what do you do when you go out to eat?!" ...
"You won't eat anything there so I guess we can't go to that restaurant." ...
"Is that really all you're going to eat?" ...
"How old are you?" ...
"Should we split the bill evenly?"

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May 26, 2016

How do you feed picky eaters on a budget? ›

Budget meal ideas for a picky eater?

carbs.
broccoli/cauliflower/carrots.
pinto/refried beans.
chicken, beef, pork, salmon, eggs.
cheese (except blue cheese)
dairy free milk.
strawberries, blueberries, grapes, honey dew melons, bananas, watermelons and mangos.

Sep 20, 2023

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What can I do instead of eating lunch? ›

Instead of snacking when you're not hungry, distract yourself and substitute a healthier behavior. Take a walk, watch a movie, play with your cat, listen to music, read, surf the internet or call a friend. Take away temptation. Don't keep hard-to-resist comfort foods in your home.

Can picky eaters be healthy? ›

Run-of-the-mill picky eating doesn't usually cause major health problems. But a more serious form, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), is considered a mental disorder. (It used to be called "selective eating disorder.") People with it avoid food to the point that they don't get enough nutrients.

Get More Info ›

How do picky eaters get nutrients? ›

Grind up nuts and seeds like almonds and pumpkin seeds, and sprinkle 1/2 tsp over their cereal. This adds protein, healthy fats and essential minerals. Make some homemade granola using nuts, seeds and wholegrains, and add to their current cereal of choice. Add some fruit on top of their cereal.

See Details ›

How do you eat healthy with texture issues? ›

If specific textures are problematic, consider blending or pureeing foods to make them more palatable. For example, if you struggle with mixed textures like a salad with crunchy vegetables and creamy dressing or peas, blend them into a creamy soup or incorporate them into a smoothie.

Learn More ›