Meal for very picky eaters?

[Anonymous]

My sister is coming to visit the day after Christmas with her girls who are VERY picky eaters. She insists that anything I make is fine as she often stops at fast food on the way home/to us anyway. But I’d like to make something for them because I can’t have an empty kitchen island and no food…my sister wouldn’t like that either LOL. It also must be easy because who wants to cook on Dec 26?

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

How old are the children? What time are they arriving?

[Anonymous]

If they are really picky, then no one can advise you without knowing what they will eat. Personally, I might do a substantial charcuterie board with different meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, etc., and then maybe an assortment of chips and dips (hummus, salsa, guacamole, etc.). Maybe a few other heavy apps. Just let everyone graze.

[Anonymous]

I feel like no two picky eaters are alike. You need to know what they'll eat.

[Anonymous]

They eat fast food, plain white bread, chicken nuggets, and peanut butter, and goldfish. That is all.

But I’m not comfortable setting those items out because it’ll look strange. I will have a bowl of goldfish. My sister insists anything is fine but no one will eat anything anyway, but I need to have something…

I like the grazing idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They eat fast food, plain white bread, chicken nuggets, and peanut butter, and goldfish. That is all.

But I’m not comfortable setting those items out because it’ll look strange. I will have a bowl of goldfish. My sister insists anything is fine but no one will eat anything anyway, but I need to have something…

I like the grazing idea.

Who else is going to be there?

If this is a party, and you're asking what to add to the party menu for your nieces, that's different than if they're the only guests.

If it's just your sister and her kids and you and maybe your kids, I'd serve something you think your sister would like, and serve goldfish and chicken nuggets. Maybe try some homemade french fries but prepare for them to be rejected. I think it would be nice for her to have a meal where she doesn't have to worry about her kids having enough, and she can enjoy adult food.

[Anonymous]

Charcuterie with goldfish and nuggets.

[Anonymous]

It’s my sister, her 2 kids, my parents, and us: 2 adults and 3 kids.

My go to a big pot of soup and bread and salad, but that leaves nothing for her girls.

Chicken nuggets might not work, because I’m not sure what brand they will eat and I do not want to ask.

Snacks seem like a good idea…or a roast chicken???

[Anonymous]

Just have a pack of the Perdue refrigerated chicken nuggets in the fridge, and plenty of goldfish, white bread, and peanut butter on hand. It’ll work itself out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They eat fast food, plain white bread, chicken nuggets, and peanut butter, and goldfish. That is all.

But I’m not comfortable setting those items out because it’ll look strange. I will have a bowl of goldfish. My sister insists anything is fine but no one will eat anything anyway, but I need to have something…

I like the grazing idea.

You are tying yourself in a knot here. You know what they eat, but don't want to serve it. But feel you must serve something, even though your sister said you don't have to since she knows her kids are very picky.

I don't get why you can't serve a few items but include goldfish, chicken nuggets, and peanut butter. If they like bread and peanut butter, consider getting like peanut butter crackers or those peanut butter filled pretzels.

If you are going to serve food, make sure it's from the list of foods they eat. Your sister has tried to make it easy on you by saying you don't need to provide anything, but if you serve food but nothing they will eat, she'll just feel bad they aren't eating it and you may feel resentful you went to the trouble. I have an ultra-picky eater and I often wish people would just take me at face value when I say things like "we will just bring food for her" or "anything you serve, she wan't eat, so please just do what you want and we'll figure her food out ourselves." If you are used to dealing with food pickiness every day, you can do it fairly easily, but it's frustrating when you try to explain it to people and they just ignore you, certain that they'll be able to override it somehow. They won't!

[Anonymous]

spaghetti with butter, mac cheese, cucumbers, steamed broccoli, cut carrots

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP. They won’t eat much of anything and my sister will leave and go to fast food or they’ll eat on the way. She won’t say what you said…I’m left trying to figure out what to serve that her girls will maybe eat, but also isn’t just their limited items. I also want to serve food for my parents and sister and us.

I suppose I was asking for plain foods that would appease the kids and my family…? But I don’t know. I’ve been doing this dance for years and it’s really hard.

[Anonymous]

Gone are the days where parents told their kids to eat what was before them or not eat at all and go hungry for the meal.

My parents would never dare to suggest what hosts serve in their home even members of their own family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gone are the days where parents told their kids to eat what was before them or not eat at all and go hungry for the meal.

My parents would never dare to suggest what hosts serve in their home even members of their own family.

This sister is not telling OP what to serve in her own home. Gone are the days of reading comprehension, also?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP. They won’t eat much of anything and my sister will leave and go to fast food or they’ll eat on the way. She won’t say what you said…I’m left trying to figure out what to serve that her girls will maybe eat, but also isn’t just their limited items. I also want to serve food for my parents and sister and us.

I suppose I was asking for plain foods that would appease the kids and my family…? But I don’t know. I’ve been doing this dance for years and it’s really hard.

It’s not your job to figure out how to change her kids’ diet. It’s your job to respect her parenting.

Serve a nice meal for the adults have plain white bread and peanut butter and goldfish, or chicken nuggets if you can ask what brand and have a peaceful meal with no judgement.