Food ideas for a fussy pre-teen!

[Ladybugred]

Hi, as the title says really!

I have a very fussy, nearly 13 year old son. He has always been fussy and generally just stuck in his ways about what he eats! Partly my fault too, as I did just often give him what I knew he’d eat! My problem is now he’s getting older but I really don’t think he eats enough across the day 🤦‍♀️ I always offer him different things and he has access to lots of things but I just feel like he should be eating more than he does.. although I do know if he was hungry he’d eat!

I think I’ve exhausted the internet searching for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack ideas that he might try but I thought it was worth giving a go on here where people might be able to share their own ideas?!

he’s always been pretty good with fruit and veg, and he doesn’t necessarily eat unhealthily, just restricted!

thanks so much in advance!

What textures does he prefer?

What are the absolute no no foods?

What are his safe foods?

Have you looked into ARFID?

It’s hard without knowing what he doesn’t like, especially as someone who will eat anything. But you’re right, if he’s hungry he’ll eat. We find self assembly meals work best and encourage trying new things - like fajitas, tacos, curry with sides, salads where you chose what you want. Snacks - cut up carrots/celery/cucumber/pepper with hummus, peanut butter on rice cakes, cheese and crackers.

No specific texture really, as in he will eat mini cheddars, cheese, he’ll eat pasta with a tomato/veg sauce, Rice Krispies, tomatoes (random list I’ve given there I know but just trying to show how he isn’t texture specific 😂)

absolute no no is eggs, other than that like I said it’s really hard but it isn’t specific,

safe foods, again not specific but he prefers snacky bits like sandwiches/wraps/fruit and things like that rather than an actual meal if that makes sense..

I have looked briefly into ARFID but I really don’t think it’s that ..

tbh the more I type here the more I think we’ll he’s not actually that bad 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

I think that’s half my problem, I eat absolutely anything so find it really difficult that he doesn’t! 😂

I think the trick with this sort of eating is to make sure the stuff that's healthy and that he will eat, is available in large amounts. So if he is happy to eat fruit and veg, keep lots of fruit for snacking and veg with whatever dip he's willing to eat - humous, avocado etc?

Food DS has after school, depending on day might be:

Jacket potato with cheese/beans
Protein / but bar
Bagel with peanut butter or sometimes just plain
Smoothie
Waffle (if we have leftover batter from DD in the morning)
Banana or other fruit
Leftover pasta if DH hasn't snaffled it first.