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This recipe has been a game changer in my home and might just be the answer to your picky eater challenges.
By Jamie Collins
June 9, 2022
Do you know those super selective eaters who only want their favorite foods served in their preferred way? You know, the ones who will adjust restaurant menus and avoid any place that doesn’t allow modifications? Well, they might not see themselves as picky; instead, they consider themselves “particular” about what they consume. And yes, I’m one of those individuals.
Given my fastidious approach to food, it should have come as no surprise that I’d have a child with a similarly discerning palate. Yet, I was caught off guard. I had ignored all the warnings and the countless tales from other parents regarding their kids’ picky eating habits. Then one day, I found myself desperately wanting my child to eat something other than hard-boiled eggs or a plain bowl of pasta.
To clarify, my surprise wasn’t based on some naive belief about genetic inheritance. I was astonished by my son’s sudden refusal to eat because when my husband and I first introduced solid foods at around 7 months, he embraced everything we offered. Every veggie, every fruit, every protein—he loved it all! Unfortunately, that love was short-lived. By the time he turned two, all those once-beloved foods turned into his biggest adversaries. Mixed veggies, grilled zucchini, roasted chicken, and my homemade mini burgers were all rejected. Thankfully, he still enjoys most fruits, but he quickly passed on the majority of meals I prepared.
What I hoped would be just another fleeting toddler phase turned into a steadfast lifestyle. I had to confront the reality that I had a very picky—yes, picky—eater on my hands. His inherited selectiveness wouldn’t have been as concerning if he weren’t a growing toddler needing proper nutrition, especially with such a limited list of acceptable options. Animal-shaped pasta (seasoned with lemon, salt, and pepper), hard-boiled eggs, fruits, French fries, occasional smoothies, and frozen fruit popsicles didn’t exactly amount to a balanced diet for an active little one.
Fortunately, I’m a recipe developer who loves experimenting with flavors, so once I got over the shock of my son’s food aversion, I put my creative skills to the test. His fondness for frozen treats and his willingness to try fruit smoothies inspired me. What if I could blend all the nutritious foods he avoided into something he’d actually enjoy? Thus began my journey.
I started mixing different fruit and vegetable combinations to pack in nutrients like fiber, calcium, and vitamins while creating fun frozen treats. After much tasting and tweaking, my Root Smoothie Popsicles were born.
Root Smoothie Popsicles
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 scoop child-safe powdered greens
- 12 oz dairy or non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 banana
- 1 pear (peeled and sliced)
- 2 dashes of cinnamon
- Splash of vanilla extract
Method:
Blend well, pour the mixture into fun-shaped molds, freeze until solid (at least 4 hours), and voila!