Feeding picky kids: How to make family meals stress-free

If you’ve ever begged your child to take just one bite of broccoli, you know the struggle of feeding picky kids. In our latest episode of Wine Chats, Billi and Lyndsey get real about the daily dinner table battles and how they’re learning to win them - without making five different meals each night.

“My daughter wouldn’t touch cheese or milk on her cereal,” Billi admitted. “But now, slowly, she’s trying new things!”

Why feeding picky kids feels overwhelming

For many parents, mealtimes become the most stressful part of the day. Between packing lunchboxes, cooking dinner, and keeping everyone happy, it can feel impossible. Add in a child who refuses veggies or only wants jam sandwiches, and the frustration is real.

Billi summed it up perfectly:

“We had to get out of the rut. It was sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches. Now, we’re trying to bring balance back - fruit, veg, protein - so it’s not a battle every day.”

"How are their brains supposed to think if all their eat is jam sandwiches?"

Tips for making family meals easier

While every family is different, here are a few strategies that helped:

• One meal for the whole family – no more short-order cooking.

• Introduce foods slowly – even if it’s just one bite.

• Pack balanced lunchboxes – fruit, veggies, protein, and something fun.

• Find joy in cooking again – new cookware, one-pot meals, and simple recipes can make the process more enjoyable.

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Finding joy in the kitchen again

It’s not all about the kids - sometimes a little excitement in the kitchen helps parents too. New cookware, discovering new recipes, and even enjoying a glass of wine while cooking can transform mealtime into something less stressful.

This episode of Wine Chats was proudly sponsored by Budburst Wine Collective, featuring The Agreement Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills - perfect for pairing with those family dinners you’ve worked so hard on!