Hey everyone, Sarah here! My 5-year-old is a very picky eater and refuses to touch vegetables. How do you encourage your kids to eat healthier and actually enjoy it? I’m open to any creative ideas! Thanks! — Sarah
Hi Sarah! (@SarahJ_FoodTips)
Oh goodness, I remember those picky eater days SO well. My youngest (now 9) was exactly the same with veggies around that age! It feels like one minute you’re trying to sneak spinach into smoothies (been there, done that!), and the next, a whole new set of parenting adventures pops up. It’s a tough one, hang in there! You’re doing great just by looking for new ideas.
It’s funny how these parenting challenges evolve, right? Fast forward a few years, and with my two now (my other is 13), a whole new set of worries pops up, especially with them being online more. For me, a big one has definitely been navigating the online world safely with them. It’s like a whole different kind of “healthy consumption” we need to think about!
I’m definitely no tech expert, believe me – half the time I’m asking my 13-year-old for help with my own phone! But I knew I needed something to help me keep an eye on things as they got older and more independent online. I must have tried a dozen different parental control apps out there, and it felt like a real maze sometimes.
Some were okay, others were a bit clunky or just didn’t quite give me the peace of mind I was looking for. But a while back, I landed on mSpy, and honestly, it’s been the best fit for our family. It’s actually pretty user-friendly, which is a huge plus for me! It helps me see things like who they’re chatting with (especially important for my teen), what sites they’re visiting, and their location, which really helps me breathe a little easier.
For us, it’s not about being super intrusive or spying in a sneaky way – we’ve had open conversations about it, especially with my oldest. It’s more about having those safety nets in place and being able to have informed conversations if something worrying comes up. It just gives me that bit of reassurance that they’re staying on a safer path when I can’t physically be looking over their shoulder.
It’s all about finding what feels right for your family and your comfort level, whether it’s veggie tactics or digital safety. Goodness knows, we’re all just doing our best to keep our little (and not-so-little!) ones safe and sound in this crazy world. Don’t feel overwhelmed by it all – we’re all just learning as we go!
Keep up the great work, Sarah! You’ve got this!
Warmly,
A fellow mom of two 
Hi Sarah, thanks for sparking this conversation! I love how open you are to creative ideas. While my teen is a bit older, I’ve faced similar struggles over the years—especially when it comes to healthy habits. For us, involving our son in meal prep made a difference. Even at five, kids get excited when they can “help” in the kitchen, and it gives them some control.
I’ll admit, we use strict phone rules to set routines (no screens at meals, for example), and that’s helped keep family dinners focused. While I don’t use a parental control app yet, setting consistent family expectations early—around both tech and food—pays off later. Hang in there; you’re definitely not alone!
Hello Sarah, I totally understand your worries about picky eaters—my grandkids can be quite stubborn too! I’m not very tech-savvy, but I’ve found that involving children in choosing and preparing veggies can make a big difference. Maybe making colorful veggie plates or sneaking veggies into fun dishes helps. I haven’t tried any specific apps for nutrition yet, but I’m curious if anyone here has recommendations for kid-friendly meal planning apps? Thanks for starting this important conversation!
Hi Sarah, you’ve received some great ideas already! When it comes to encouraging kids to eat more vegetables, making them fun and accessible is key. Try involving your child in grocery shopping and cooking, so they feel more invested. Present vegetables in playful ways—like colorful salads or veggie-shaped snacks. Sometimes, pairing them with a favorite dip or mixing small amounts into dishes they already enjoy can help. Consistency and patience are important too; praising their efforts can motivate ongoing healthy eating habits. Keep experimenting with different recipes and presentation styles—your creativity can really make a difference!
Great question about nutrition apps for kids! There are actually some helpful meal planning apps designed specifically with families in mind. For example, apps like Yummly and Mealime offer kid-friendly recipes and allow you to filter for healthy options—some even feature interactive cooking guides, which can make meal prep more engaging for little ones. While these aren’t parental control apps per se, they do support healthy habits in a fun and accessible way. If you want a bit more structure, some apps allow you to track what kids eat and set goals together, turning nutrition into a shared family project. Getting kids involved with these apps can make them feel empowered and more interested in trying new veggies!
Hi Sarah,
While I don’t have children myself, I’m always interested in discussions about healthy habits. With picky eaters, I think it’s key to make mealtimes positive. Maybe involve your child in the cooking process, or try presenting veggies in fun ways. Focus on creating a relaxed atmosphere rather than forcing them. Building a positive relationship with food is more important than any specific meal.
Hi Sarah, what a great question! Picky eating can be such a challenge.
We’ve had a lot of success by getting our kids involved in the whole process, turning it into a fun, screen-free family activity. We started a tiny container garden on our porch. Letting our son plant the seeds and water the snap peas made him so excited to finally taste them!
Also, having him “help” in the kitchen—like washing carrots or arranging broccoli “trees” on a plate—gives him a sense of ownership and makes him more curious. It’s a slow process, but making food a hands-on adventure instead of a battle has really helped us. Good luck
Hey Sarah, I don’t have kids yet, but your question reminds me of the bigger conversations about trust and control. From my perspective as a young adult, forcing something—whether it’s a parental control app or a plate of broccoli—can create a power struggle and backfire.
Maybe involving your son in the process could help? Letting him pick a new vegetable at the store or “help” you cook gives him some ownership and makes it feel less like a demand. It’s about building that foundation of collaboration early, which I think is super important for navigating the trickier teen years later on
Hi Sarah, I totally get the struggle—my 6-year-old is just as stubborn about veggies! I’ve tried hiding them in smoothies and pasta sauces, which helps sometimes. But honestly, I’ve also realized that forcing or overly restricting can backfire. I’ve found that involving my kids in grocery shopping and cooking makes a difference—they’re more curious about trying what they helped prepare. Also, I’ve learned that patience and positive reinforcement go a long way. Not everything works overnight, but staying consistent and creative helps me keep my kids open to new foods. Would love to hear what others have tried!