Just Between Us, Moms: Picky Eating Is Hard
Let’s be honest—picky eating is frustrating. And unfair.
I used to wonder, why me? why my child? I ate everything as a kid and even asked for seconds.
The Daily Food Struggle
As a stay-at-home mom for over two years, I spent half my day cooking—and the other half trying to convince my toddler to try just one of the three or four meals I had prepared.
Most foods didn’t even pass the “appearance test.”
Green, red, orange, or yellow foods were usually rejected right away. White and brown foods had a much better chance.
And even when a meal passed the appearance test, it often failed the “texture test.”
“Cold, wet, or slippery foods were out of the question.”
Anything outside of simple, single-texture carbohydrates—like rice, pasta, or bread—was usually refused.
The Worry No One Sees
I used to hold my breath watching his reaction, hoping he’d eat at least one thing. Some days, I completely gave up.
Other moms tried to reassure me, saying:
Don’t worry. He’ll eat when he’s hungry.
But when bread seemed like the only safe food, it was hard not to worry—about how much he was eating and whether he was getting the nutrition he needed.
Turning on the TV during meals worked briefly, but in the long run, it made things worse.
What We Wish We Had Done Sooner
The biggest thing my husband and I wish we had done differently was letting our first son participate in meal preparation—or even take the lead.
Smelling, touching, and exploring ingredients helps children understand what food is and where it comes from. Before cooking together, our son was afraid to put food in his mouth.
“Cooking together helped remove that fear.”
It also supported important developmental milestones and unexpectedly became his favorite activity.
Why We Created Picky Chefs
That experience changed everything for our family.
It’s why we created Picky Chefs—to share simple techniques and approachable recipes that help kids feel more confident around food and help parents feel less alone in the process.
We’re so glad you’re here.
Bon appétit!