If you have a toddler, then most likely you have a fussy eater! Mealtime is the most dreaded time in our household. One day my son loves something, and the next day it’s flying across the room. With so many unhealthy food choices out there, we tend to stick with the same things. But that gets boring. Here are some creative ways you can switch up 4 basic toddler foods to get your little one to actually put the food in his mouth instead of flinging it across the room. No more blueberry yogurt facials for you!

In the past 22 months of being a mother to a crazy monkey I have learned that variety is key. Give him something he’s never seen before (which is easy to do to a toddler) and they go nuts over it! We all like the novelty of something new, right? Change up the form of the food they like to something they’ve never tried before and now you’ve got their attention! And of course it needs to taste good or you’ve lost their attention after one bite. Try these variations of your child’s favorite food and they will be enjoying them for months to come!

Instead of scrambling your toddler’s eggs, hard boil them, slice them up, and mix them with avocado for a healthier version of egg salad! A bonus is the fun new color the avocado turns the eggs. Another variation is egg cups. Mix eggs and chopped up veggies of your choice (this is a good chance to hide the ones your kids won’t normally eat!), and pour it into baking tins. Then bake them in the oven at 350 degrees until they are not runny or jiggly anymore. The bonus on these are for you- make them ahead of time and stick them in the freezer for a healthy breakfast when you are in a rush!

Next, is a huge fan favorite, even with the big kids. Peanut butter* & jelly! Instead of the same old sandwich, do a PB&J roll up! Make it fun- use corn tortillas (they are healthier than flour ones), flatbread, or thin pancakes! Whatever you can roll! Stick some raisins inside for a fun surprise! Kids love surprises!

Sliced apples are a great snack for morning or afternoon, but they are not very exciting for our little ones. Unless you make cars out of them! Make the slices a little thicker than usual and with the peel side facing up, place two dabs of peanut butter on each side of the apple slice towards the bottom. Then stick on either cheerios or sliced olives for the wheels! Who says you can’t play with your food?? Or if you want an apple snack the whole family can enjoy, bake them!. Core the apple, slice it, and bake it in the oven! Then drizzle with a little bit of honey* or melted peanut butter.

And lastly, get them to eat their fruit as dessert with fruit juice pops! Take different fruits, such as kiwis and mangoes, cut them into slices, and place them into ice pop holders. Then pour in your child’s favors fruit juice and freeze. Pop them out of the freezer for a healthy treat on a hot, summer day!

Remember, it doesn’t take much to excite a toddler. Don’t overthink it, keep it fun and simple, and mealtime will never be the same!

*Be sure to check with your child’s pediatrician to find out when it’s safe for them to have peanut butter or honey.