Not all kids are adventurous at mealtime. That's why we rounded up a variety of balanced, healthy meals for picky eaters. Your little one is sure to find a new favorite!
22 Healthy Meals for Picky Eaters
Updated on May 03, 2024
1/22
Meatless Chili Mac
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came across this recipe in a newspaper years ago and it’s been a hit at our house ever since. It’s fast and flavorful, and it appeals to all ages. — Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 206 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable,1 lean meat.
2/22
Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 323 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 112mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
3/22
Lettuce-Wrap Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These fresh flavors blend like a dream. It's a snap to throw the wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 wraps: 252 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat.
4/22
Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this creamy chicken rice soup recipe while making some adjustments to a favorite stovetop chicken casserole. We like this soup for lunch with a crisp roll and fresh fruit. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 312 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 699mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
5/22
Slow-Cooked Italian Chicken
Total Time
4 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
With its nicely seasoned tomato sauce, this enticing chicken entree is especially good over pasta. My father loved this dish. —Deanna D’Auria, Banning, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 231 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 818mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
6/22
Turkey Burgers
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These juicy, tender patties on whole wheat buns make a wholesome, satisfying sandwich. We especially like to make grilled turkey burgers, but you could also pan-fry them. —Sherry Hulsman, Elkton, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 293 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 561mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
7/22
Whole Wheat Veggie Pizza
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
2 pizzas (6 slices each)
From the Recipe Creator:
A wonderful crust layered with herbed tomato sauce and toppings encourages my family of six to dig right in to this low-fat main course. —Denise Warner, Red Lodge, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 190 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
8/22
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a great way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 422 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 750mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein.
9/22
Peanut Butter-Banana Yogurt Parfaits
Total Time
5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a lightning-fast breakfast, I layer vanilla yogurt with bananas, peanuts and multigrain cereal. It’s crunchy, easy and perfect for kids.—Teresa Miller, Hamilton, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 parfait: 457 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 152mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (47g sugars, 5g fiber), 14g protein.
10/22
Zucchini Lasagna
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We plant zucchini every year and always seem to have more than we can use! This hearty zucchini lasagna is a delicious way to use an abundant crop. —Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 273 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 725mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
11/22
Baked Chicken Tenders
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 194 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
12/22
Ham ‘n’ Cheddar Cups
Total Time
55 min
Servings
20 muffin cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Start your day out right with these delicious muffins. Studded with ham, cheddar cheese and bacon, they're a meal in one—and a handy breakfast on the run when you need to be out the door in a hurry. —Carla Hodenfield
Ray, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 172 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 458mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 10g protein.
13/22
Taco Stuffed Shells
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it's also lower in fat. It's a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3 stuffed shells: 384 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 665mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein.
14/22
Slow-Cooked Turkey Sloppy Joes
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This tangy sandwich filling is easy to prepare in the slow cooker, and it goes over so well at gatherings large and small. I frequently take it to potlucks, and I'm always asked what my secret ingredient is! —Marylou LaRue, Freeland, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 264 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 lean meat.
15/22
Avocado Quesadillas
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Avocados give quesadillas some nutritional value and, fortunately, my son likes them. Thinly slice the avocado, and add chicken or beef for extra protein. —Debbie Limas, North Andover, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
2 quesadillas (calculated without additional pico de gallo): 611 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 455mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 12g fiber), 20g protein.
16/22
Homemade Fish Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 278 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
17/22
Tomato Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this soup is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. — Josh Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 104 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
18/22
Whole Grain Banana Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love homemade banana bread, so why not make it in pancake form? These freeze well for a special breakfast any day. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 186 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 392mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
19/22
Turkey Pinwheels
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Need an awesome snack for game day? My kids love these easy four-ingredient turkey pinwheels. Go ahead and make them the day before—they won’t get soggy! —Amy Van Hemert, Ottumwa, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 pinwheel: 51 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 144mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
20/22
Black Bean Burrito
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My neighbor and I discovered these delicious low-fat burritos a few years ago. On nights my husband or I have a meeting, we can have a satisfying supper on the table in minutes. —Angela Studebaker, Goshen, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 395 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 610mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.
21/22
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my brother, sister and I were young, Mom would bake this cinnamon-scented oatmeal before driving us to school. Whenever I make it, I have lots of happy memories. —Vincent Taylor, Houston, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 483 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 193mg sodium, 78g carbohydrate (49g sugars, 7g fiber), 6g protein.
22/22
Fish Tacos
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cool sauce with just a bit of zing tops these breaded fish tacos (that are actually healthy!). This recipe is a delicious guilt-free dish that doesn't break the bank. —Lena Lim, Seattle, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 taco: 190 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
