Thanksgiving Guide for Picky Eaters

November 6, 2024

Thanksgiving Guide for Picky Eaters


Feeling a bit tense about how your picky eater is going to feel this Thanksgiving? Have no fear - our dietitian, Emily, has some excellent advice on how navigate the holidays with a picky eater.




Tip #1

Make it fun and allow them to play with their food.  If you are at a friend or family member’s house, come prepared with kid-friendly plates, cups, and even a ‘splash mat’ or towel.


Tip #2

Give your child opportunities to try Thanksgiving food ahead of Thanksgiving day - try offering different foods at different times leading up to Thanksgiving day.  Repeated exposure is a strategy to help overcome picky eating.  It may take a child 15-20 times of being exposed to a new food to try or like it.  Continue to offer your child opportunities to try new and different foods.



Tip #3

Make memories - focus on the memories, not the meal.  Talk to them about what they are thankful for, create a handprint turkey, make a thankful tablecloth.  Incorporate traditions that focus on other aspects of the day, not necessarily the food.


Tip #4

Be sure to include some preferred foods.  If you are celebrating at home, include some of your ‘family favorite’ foods.  If you are celebrating at someone else’s house, pack a preferred food from home for your child to enjoy.  Parents choose what the child can eat and when, and the child can choose how much of it to eat.


Tip #5

Prepare your child ahead of time by telling them what to expect, what foods will be served and what mealtime will look like.


Tip #6

Keep portions small so as to not overwhelm them.  Kids can easily get overwhelmed with new people, new foods, new smells, a new environment.  Control what you can and keep portions small - maybe even creating a ‘tasting plate’ instead of presenting the full meal on their plate.



Tip #7

 Involve your child in the preparation process.  Have them create place cards for your guests, set the table, peel carrots, or mash the potatoes.  Tell them what food groups you plan to incorporate in the meal and ask for their input of foods to include from those food groups. 


Tip #8

Choose to make your day easier.  Choose not to force your child to eat.  Also, have the conversation ahead of time with family members so everyone is ‘on the same page’ that you are not forcing or bribing your child to eat particular foods.  Keep your expectations low.  Remember it is just one meal and you can pick up your normal routine the next day.


Tip #9

Include dipping sauces - kids love to dip their food.  Including ranch dressing, ketchup, fruit dip, hummus, or the like so they can enjoy a dipping sauce with their meal.


Tip #10

Be sure to keep your daily routine as close to ‘normal’ as possible.  Make sure your child gets adequate sleep, has regular meals and they don’t get over-hungry. 


Remember, the most important part of the holiday is enjoy time with your friends and family. Be present and soak up the moments - telling stories, laughing, playing games or however your family chooses to celebrate the holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving!!

July 2, 2025
Getting a selective eater to try new foods is a process. Keep in mind that the goal is to provide your child with the opportunity to be exposed to new foods. Continue to introduce them to unfamiliar foods, have them see that you eat and enjoy them, all the while making sure they have safe foods that they know they can count on. Giving your child permission helps to reduce anxiety around new foods. Inviting your child to be around and try new foods is a very different experience than forcing them to try new foods.
July 1, 2025
With summer here, your kiddos are likely on a constant hunt for snacks. To help them develop healthy eating habits, try spacing meals and snacks about two hours apart. This gives their little tummies time to feel hungry, enjoy a snack, and recognize when they’re full. When kids “graze” throughout the day—eating small amounts here and there—their bodies have a harder time learning to recognize hunger and fullness cues. Grazing can also lead to more frequent choices of less nutritious, grab-and-go snacks. Let's Support Healthier Habits To support healthier habits, pre-plan snack options and post a visual snack “menu” on the fridge. This gives kids structure, helps them feel independent, and encourages better choices. And why not make snack time fun and educational? Try simple food crafts together—it’s a great way to bond with your child(ren), have fun in the kitchen, and explore possible new foods at the same time! UNDER THE SEA: Shark Snack Cups from Mommy's Fabulous Finds Festive treat made with yogurt, jello, cool whip, graham crackers and optional gummy shark Shark Week Bait from Alex Daynes A lighter treat that includes popcorn, white chocolate chips, f ood coloring/sprinkles, Sixlet Candies, gummy sharks, and pretzel goldfish Candy Sushi from Happy Family Recipes Themed snack made with Rice Krispie Treats (butter, marshmallows, vanilla, Rice Krispie Cereal) Fruit Roll-Ups, large Swedish fish, mini Swedish Fish BEACH + ANIMAL THEMES: Beach Bear Dirt Cups from Made To Be A Momma Celebrate summer with pool inspired lounging! Ingredients include: Teddy Grahams, white chocolate pudding, milk, cool whip, graham crackers, gummy life savers Curious George Snack from Mess for Less (tip, Read a Curious George book to go along with this one!) Enjoy a book and a snack with this Curious George inspired snack! Ingredients include: Nutella, s liced bananas, b lueberries, r ice cakes Animal Tracks Snacks from Loreen Leedy Great snack for the outdoorsy kid who enjoys animals! You can use a variety of ingredients including: cheese, crackers, pretzels, cream cheese, almonds and pepperoni FOR THE NATURE LOVER: Nature Snacks : Edible Crafts for Kids - Parties With A Cause A large variety of snacks for nature lover of all kinds including all sorts of flora and fauna options! POPSICLES: Fresh Fruit Popsicles from One Little Project How to Make Fruit Popsicles with Real, Fresh Fruit Strawberry Breakfast Popsicles from Fraiche Living We can imagine all sorts of variations of this recipe! Start with the following simple ingredients: yogurt, fresh strawberries, milk (or your choice) lemon juice and granola Frozen Yogurt Banana Pops from Kalejunkie Such a simple, yet festive recipe that uses ingredients commonly found in the kitchen such as bananas, yogurt and sprinkes! FOOD IMPOSTERS: Pancake Donuts from Balanced with Babies Made with just two ingredients: pancake mix and milk! You will need a fun donut shaped mold for this recipe Breakfast Banana Split - Art From My Table Ingredients include: banana, yogurt, blackberries, raspberries, granola, mini chocolate chips Fruit Cracker Pizzas from Sunshine & Hurricanes Crackers + cream cheese + fruit! Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats from My Heavenly Recipes Festive treat to be shared! Made with butter, marshmallows, R ice Krispies, food coloring and chocolate chips
June 18, 2025
What is kyphosis? Can I prevent it? Can I address the symptoms? Can a physical therapist at the Pediatric Movement Center help? We'll answer all these questions and more it today's blog post!
June 17, 2025
Think your child is "just" clumsy? They may have Developmental Coordination Disorder, DCD, an infrequently known, but very treatable condition that affects 5%-6% of school aged children! Medical specialists, such as pediatric physical therapists, pediatric occupational therapists, and neurologists can help address the underlying nervous system and muscular issues contributing to DCD.
By Brian Snyder June 16, 2025
Bilateral Coordination
June 4, 2025
Exposing children to food through various activities like cooking, coloring and sensory play/projects enhances their understanding of food, leading to healthier eating habits. Try a sensory project, like making snacklaces!
Show More