One of the questions I get asked all the time is, “What does your picky eater actually eat?”

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know that I completely understand picky eating because I was that child. In fact, I’m still selective about certain foods as an adult. That experience has shaped how I feed my own children. I don’t believe in forcing children to eat. Instead, I focus on offering balanced meals, making food look inviting, and giving them repeated opportunities to try different foods.

Today’s meals are a perfect example. They aren’t fancy restaurant meals. They’re simply delicious Nigerian inspired meals that my picky eater genuinely enjoys.

Breakfast: Coconut French Toast with Fruit Skewers

We started the morning with Coconut French Toast served alongside colourful fruit skewers.

The French toast was soft, slightly sweet, and had a lovely coconut flavour that made it feel like a special breakfast without requiring much extra effort. I paired it with fruit skewers because fruit somehow becomes much more exciting when it’s served on a stick. Sometimes it’s all about presentation.

On today’s skewers were fresh fruits that added colour, crunch, and natural sweetness to the plate.

This breakfast provided carbohydrates for energy, protein from the eggs, healthy fats, and vitamins from the fruit.

Lunch: Crab Fried Rice, Dodo and Chicken

Lunch was packed into the lunchbox for school.

Inside was crab fried rice, sweet fried plantain (dodo), and chicken.

The crab fried rice is always a favourite because it’s colourful and packed with flavour without being overwhelming. The vegetables blend beautifully into the rice, making it easier for children who aren’t always excited about vegetables.

The sweet dodo balances the savoury rice perfectly, while the chicken provides extra protein to keep them full throughout the day.

This combination is filling, nutritious, and practical for school lunches.

Drink: Cucumber, Pineapple and Mint Refresher

Instead of sugary drinks, today’s lunch came with a refreshing cucumber, pineapple and mint drink.

The pineapple adds natural sweetness, the cucumber keeps it light and hydrating, while the mint gives it a fresh finish.

It’s an easy way to increase fruit intake while keeping children hydrated during the school day.

Snack: Chin Chin

After school, it was snack time.

Today’s choice was homemade chin chin.

Not every snack has to be complicated. Sometimes children simply enjoy familiar favourites. The key is balance. Snacks are part of the day, not the entire day’s nutrition.

Dinner: Poulet DG

Dinner was one of my favourite family meals: Poulet DG.

If you’ve never tried it before, Poulet DG is a delicious chicken and plantain dish loaded with colourful vegetables in a rich tomato-based sauce.

It is one of those meals that naturally includes several food groups in one pot. My picky eater loves the soft plantains and chicken, while gradually becoming more comfortable eating the vegetables mixed into the sauce.

Meals like this remind me that exposure works. Children don’t have to eat everything perfectly today. The goal is to keep introducing different foods in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

What This Day Teaches About Feeding Picky Eaters

Parents often think picky eaters survive on plain bread and biscuits forever, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Today’s meals included:

• Protein from eggs, chicken and crab.

• Fruits served in a fun way.

• Vegetables across several meals.

• Whole family meals instead of separate “kids’ food.”

• Familiar favourites alongside nutritious options.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Some days they eat everything. Other days they barely touch it. Keep serving balanced meals without pressure, and celebrate the small wins.

Every meal is another opportunity for your child to build a healthier relationship with food.

If you’re looking for more family friendly recipes, lunchbox inspiration, and practical ideas for raising happier eaters, download the Little Big Bite Cookbook. It’s packed with recipes that have helped thousands of families make mealtimes less stressful and far more enjoyable.