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Don't fret - most of them are picky! I make smoothies for my kids with fruit, yougurt and a little bit of whey protein powder. Also, one of my kids loves cereal, which is an easy, quick way to make sure she is eating something good for her.

You could buy him some mini wheats and bananas and put them together for a healthy breakfast!!

Two year olds will eat when hungry.  Most will try whatever you offer them.  Doesn't mean he'll like it, but he will try it.  I worked with 12-24 month olds for 3 years.  I had a child who went through the same stage.  His mom gave him link sausage, but called it his "special" hot dog, with a little ketchup and hash browns (mini french fries).  Add some juice, or fresh fruit, and milk and you have a toddler pleasing breakfast.  Lunches for most of the kids I watched were simple finger foods.  Some parents, I did this when my kids were toddlers, would cut up things you would find in sandwhiches (lunchmeat or leftover chicken, tomato slices, cheese chunks) fruit, canned veggies (or frozen) and a drink.  Hope these ideas help

 Get yourself a box of mac and cheese some ground beef and get ready.

This is the base mix : prepare the mac and cheese according to box directions. Then brown the ground beef until thoroughly cooked then drain off any fat. Mix mac and cheese with cooked beef. Separate this mix into 4 different bowls. In 1 bowl add some canned or cooked frozen corn, and sprinkle a little bit of Taco seasoning into it ( test for flavor and add a little at a time). Mix it together then serve or cover and refrigerate until ready to eat. Bowl #2 add some prepared tomato soup, then serve, or store until ready. Bowl #3, add some canned or cooked mixed veggies and top with an edgier cheese like a medium cheddar. Bowl #4 keep plain, give him a break from the veggies and give him a side of applesauce. This is great for when you are busy or on the go. You have the meals made and can be packed in a cooler bag to take with you. My picky finicky never eats anything unless it's a chicken nugget or a hot dog daughter, just loves these mixtures. Use your imagination there are alot of mix in ideas you can use. Using ground turkey is an even healthier option.

Our 2 (almost 3) yr old grandson and his mother live with us. He existed on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for 3 meals a day for a while. I finally figured out that if he has a hand in the prep of the food, he's more likely to taste it. He will eat oatmeal if he gets to stir in the ingredients and pour on the cream. He'll eat fresh carrots and lettuce if I give him a bit of ranch dressing to dip into. He will also eat baked potato...I just let him load it with his choice of cheese, dressing, bacon bits. I haven't sold him on fresh broccoli yet. But as long as he helps, he eats. Something about this age makes them want to "do it myself!!!" And I offer a lot of choices. I also limit the boxed foods quite a bit. Mac and cheese is great once in a while, but we live in the state with the highest level of childhood obesity. We try to stay away from the really fat loaded meals.

He'll eat eggs fairly well too...but just since I started raising my own chickens a few months ago. Part of the fun is gathering the eggs and thanking "the girls" for contributing to our breakfast.

I also have a picky eater who is three and it was so frustrating to find something healthy the she would like to eat.  I also found that if she is invovled in the food prep. she is most likely to eat it!  I have been making a potato soup and of course my daughter has said that she doesn't like it (it's yucky).  Last week I asked if she wanted to help with dinner and that is what we made.  she got to put the ingredients in the pot and add the water....she also enjoyed choosing the vegatable that went into it.  Once it was all done and ready, her reaction was "I am so excited to see how it came out" the other thing that surprised me was she finished it with out complaint and she asked for seconds. 

My daughter also likes to help with scrambled eggs or omlets.  I get a ziplock back and break the eggs in it and she get to add cheese or other items to the bag, then she gets to shake and squish the bag

does anyone have any other child helper recipes for a picky eater?  i'm looking for something new.

 well he sounds just like me when I was younger.try the basics like sweet peas just foods that taste like candy but are really good for him chicken nuggets and fries  arent bad to eat everyday just dont fry them everyday try baking them once in a while

If you want some really cool and delicious ideas for healthy foods there is a cookbook out there called "Deceptively Delicious".  It incorporates fruits and veggies into everything(including baked goods).  Don't let that get you though.  I personally have tried several of the recipes and they are all delicious.  They have entrees, desserts, and even snacks.  Good luck with your son!

I hope this was of help!

I wouldn't be overly concerned about a 2 year old preferring hot dogs and chicken nuggets. Talk to his pediatritian and see if you need to be concerned. Does he eat fruit?  My grandson is 20 months old and eats basically vegetable, fruit, and pasta. He doesn't eat meat----a budding vegetarian maybe. As your son gets older he will eat other foods. If he isn't underweight and is healthy according to the doctor than I wouldn't be concerned. I personally would get the all beef hot dogs. But just be patient----by the time he is 3 he'll pick a different food to eat. Offer whatever the family is eating and he just might even eat it.

Grandmaof6,

If you let the child choose some things when you do your shopping he will probably want to eat them. Particularly, try the produce department, where he can feel an orange and smell it. He will probably enjoy checking things out and choosing something.

Marguerite12

just offer lots of new things to keep it fresh ...my hubby was a picky child and now a MORE picky adult ...it is frustrating but i think he is just not into new things . so my advice is offer a new thing every day even if only once a day ....soon he will be eating more htings , better things , and NEWer things . good luck !

My very picky 3 year old always wants whats on my plate. And if I tell her she doesn't like it (because usually I know she doesn't and that's why I just made it for me) she will usually eat it and prove me wrong. It sad we have to trick our children but it works. Gerolyn