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3 simple tips for feeding picky eaters on holiday

Get our top tips for feeding picky eaters on holiday.

If your child is a fussy eater and you’re worried about what they’re going to eat on holiday, you’re not alone. It’s a topic that crops up regularly in parenting forums, and it’s one that every parent has considered at some point.


The good news is, whether you have a toddler who’s just reached the terrible twos, or an older child who struggles with trying new foods, there are things you can do to make the transition from home to holiday a lot easier.


At our TUI BLUE For Families resorts, for example, children are well catered for at mealtimes – whether they have fussy eating habits or not. There are always healthy options available on the buffet, plus plenty of chances to try new foods with sharing platters in the Taverna restaurant. In fact, food is even incorporated into the kids’ clubs, where children learn about how and where things are grown, and are given a lanyard to add a sticker to every time they try something new.


One mother who knows all about working around picky eating habits is Ciara Attwell, who started blogging and vlogging about her experiences with her daughter’s fussy eating at My Fussy Eater. Here are three things she’d recommend to make life easier while you’re away…

1. PREPARE THEM AHEAD OF TIME

When it comes to holidays, preparation will really pay off. Ciara says, "Talk to your children in the run-up to their holiday about where you’re going and what kind of food they have in that country or region. You could even have some themed dinners or snacks at home, so if you’re going to Greece, for example, prepare some Greek food – it can be as simple as having some olives out one night. That way they have a chance to get used to the kinds of things they’re going to see, smell and taste, and the textures of new foods, so it’ll come as much less of a shock to them."

2. BRING A FEW FAMILIAR FOODS WITH YOU

You might think it’s strange to pack food in your suitcase, but a few non-perishable essentials could help to smooth things over when you arrive. "If your child is particularly set on certain foods, and it’s something you can’t get out there, take it with you – just so that not everything they eat is going to be completely new. It just reduces the stress of the situation, so if you have a child that, for example, has peanut butter on toast every single morning, it’s probably not the best idea to break that tradition when they’re away from home and already faced with new foods."

3. BE CREATIVE WITH RESTAURANT MENUS

If you’re choosing something from a restaurant menu, whether it’s in your hotel or out and about, don’t be nervous to ask if you can mix things up a bit. "Often when you go abroad the children’s menu can be quite limited, like just chicken nuggets and chips or pizza and chips. Of course it’s fine to give that to them sometimes, but if you are trying to broaden their tastes then don’t be afraid of ordering from the adult menu – most restaurants are happy to do a half-portion of an adult meal, or you could even choose a starter."

Travelling with children?

Take a look at our 10 tips for flying long-haul with toddlers.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles. 

Author: Katie Gregory

Last updated: 09.09.2016.

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