Here are some out-of-the-box ideas for meal time that will make it more exciting!  Oftentimes changing up our mealtime routine allows for kids to feel less pressure around meals leading to being curious about new foods, exploring new foods, and trying new foods.  No plate dinners or grazing tables encourage independence as a child can portion out how much they would like, are able to try a variety of options, and eat at their own pace.  Try and incorporate as many colors as possible as a colorful and creative presentation can make for an exciting eating experience.  Don’t forget to put a plastic tablecloth down to help with the clean up!

Table Top Nachos

Cover your table with parchment paper or a plastic table cloth and pour out various taco meats and fixings.  Think black beans, pinto beans, taco chicken, taco beef, lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, queso, guacamole, etc.

Charcuterie Style

How about serving a ‘charcuterie’ style dinner of different dinner themed foods?

• Italian style - salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, provolone, dried fruit, olives, different breads
• Trail mix charcuterie - popcorn, chips, pretzels, cashews, pistachios, dried fruit, small chocolate candies, jerky bites
• Fruit fun - fresh fruit, dried fruit, and canned fruit.  Add whipped cream or cream cheese as a dip or spread, warm up peanut butter for a sauce to drizzle on top.  Add sprinkles for some color fun!
• Breakfast charcuterie - bagels, cereals, fruits, different flavors of cream cheese, mini pancakes, bacon, sausages, waffle bites
• Sandwiches - peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and honey, ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, hazelnut spread, cream cheese and jelly, roast beef and cheese, peanut butter and marshmallow to name a few.

Table Top Spaghetti

Toss a bunch of spaghetti or different types of noodles on the center of your table and offer a variety of sauces to try - alfredo, marinara, meat sauce, butter and cheese, olive oil, etc.  Add some garlic bread and a salad! Check on this blog post to see how this meal could work for you!

Pizza

Place a variety of pizza toppings on the center of the table and provide options of crusts such as naan, English muffins, bagels, pizza dough, pita breads.  Toppings could include: olives, pineapple, ham, bacon, ground beef, cheeses, tomato sauce, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, onions, peppers, prosciutto, chicken and allow children to go around and make their own pizza creations!

At Home Salad Bar

Put a bunch of lettuce in the center of the table and surround with chicken, hardboiled eggs, steak, turkey meatballs, carrot sticks, cut up celery, cucumber slices, olives, radishes, croutons, apples, shredded cheese, chickpeas, nuts, tomatoes, corn, blueberries, baby mandarin oranges, strawberry slices, shrimp, beans, fried onions, the list is endless… and have a variety of dressings to sprinkle on top!

Additional Resources and Inspiration

• Salad bar Ideas - The MEGA List · Easy Family Recipes
• The Ultimate in Family-Friendly Meals: Grazing Tables
• Grazing Table For Kids

No-plate dinners mean no dishes and no pressure—everyone builds their own meal. The only challenge? Be ready for a little mess and some planning. To encourage selective eaters to try new foods, it is important to create exposure opportunities in a no pressure environment.  No plate dinners and/or grazing tables provide kids with a variety of foods and encourages independence in a fun and interactive way to eat.  Try a no-plate dinner this week and see which creative idea becomes your family’s favorite!