It smells like Thanksgiving is upon us, or maybe that’s the chicken nuggets and french fries I smell…  LOL

As a mom of two, I’ve been down that “picky eater” road a few times! They can love a certain food one day, then want nothing to do with it the next! If your kids are anything like mine, they might not touch any of the home-cooked meals you’ve (or grandma) spent hours making, especially on Thanksgiving. Over the years, I’ve learned how to navigate Thanksgiving dinner with a picky-eater, picking up a few tips and tricks along the way. Keep reading down for my go-to game plan: 

Have at least one familiar food on the table

Having at least one familiar food on the table can make your picky eater feel less stressed, knowing that they have a food they enjoy eating available. Even if it’s a simple side dish, that anchor food can be the gateway to trying new foods!

Mashed potatoes might become their main course - and that’s OK!

While we all want our little ones to chow down on the healthy options at the table, sometimes a scoop of mashed potatoes will be all they want. With the day being overwhelming, it’s understandable that they’d only want to eat those familiar foods. Once the anchor food is welcomed, present foods of similar texture and taste to bridge the gap. 

Learn the appropriate serving size for their age

Serving the appropriate amount of food can help a picky eater gain confidence knowing that they are able to finish what’s in front of them. As adults, we often think that they need to be eating WAY more, so we insist on larger portions - I’m guilty of this myself! Sometimes kids can go through phases where they eat everything in sight, then the next day be full after eating a single chicken nugget! Kids are always changing, so it’s important to stay on top of the current appropriate portions, especially on this big day!

Try out Thanksgiving foods early

Introducing more of the “unusual” foods can go a long way! Gradually giving your picky eater dishes they normally wouldn’t eat can alleviate some of your worry about Thanksgiving dinner. Don’t be afraid to test out that new recipe you’ve eyeing! Try a green bean casserole dish or sweet potatoes to get them familiar with the foods that will be on the table.

Let go of the constant back & forth battle

Stressing yourself out that this big day isn’t going to be perfect is silly! When you’re stressed and try to force your kid to eat more, it usually turns into more food avoidance. Take a step back and try to let go of the constant back and forth battle of taking one more bite. The stress isn’t worth it, mama!

Try not to use dessert as a bargaining tool

We all love dessert, but it shouldn’t be used as a bargaining tool to get in another bite of “real” dinner. If you’re like my family, desserts don’t happen on a regular basis. That makes this day, aka a day full of different desserts, even harder with kids! We do not present dessert as a reward or “extra” because we want to avoid the illusion that they need to work harder for it. My family is all about moderation, so we like to serve a small portion of the dessert with dinner to create a healthy relationship with food. 

Celebrate gratitude

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is all about what you’re thankful for! The preparation and planning can get busy. However, take a moment with your loved ones and prioritize how thankful you are to be with them enjoying a happy and healthy meal! 

Don’t let a picky eater ruin your fun Thanksgiving celebrations! Implement some of these tips and tricks to make navigating your holiday a breeze. Do you have a picky eater at home? What are your go-to tips? Let me know in the comments below!