Help! Very fussy eater DGSs staying

Baby bel cheeses ? Banana pancakes which they could help to make ?

Pretty sure they must eat sausages, fish fingers etc, beans….I know that’s not fresh veg etc but still!

I feel your pain and I have been there. Just give them what they want probably burgers, fried chicken, chips that kind of thing but you can try the more healthy versions of same. You dont want an uncomfortable weekend really do you? My GS started eating all sort of things a bit later on about the age of 14/15- very into spicy foods now and eats his veg - who would have thought?

One of mine was a fussy eater. I went the route that I think lots of people do in giving a blander and blander diet. One day older brothers arrived home with pepperoni pizzas. Yes the fussy eater tucked in and enjoyed it, then we found curry and chilli were also a hit. I honestly think she hasn't got strong taste buds or something so food was uninteresting.

I'd say go for it and try some different stuff and they might surprise themselves.

Our DGS of 8 loves bowls of crudites he can dip in humus (easy to make). Chop up carrots, cucumber, tomatoes etc anything colourful. He also weirdly likes a plate of smoked salmon.
Then chopped up strawberries and raspberries.

I would them help make little pizza and choose their own toppings. Easy pizza base using Greek yoghurt and sr flour. Fill lots of bowls with selection of veg meats and cheese pineapple etc.

Since they were small all my dgc have loved what they call a ‘snacky treaty’ plate. The older ones are 15 and still enjoy it. Just put out on one plate a couple of rolled up slices of ham (or other cold meat), breadsticks or crisps, cheese, grapes (or other cut fruit) box of raisins, small yoghurt and anything else you think they might like and leave them to it. It’s surprising what disappears from the plate!

ask their mother what they eat?

Mum has provided breakfast it seems so one meal you don't need to fret over !
At their ages I would involve them in cooking, ask what they like and make it at home with them . Always found it works even with very fussy eaters.
If that fails agree that a smorgasbord of foods they like is a winner.

Gdcs of 5 and 6 have just been staying. They used to be very fussy but a bit less so now. They like Nutella pancakes for breakfast, and home made macaroni cheese is a favourite.

Because we’re often out and about and need food in a hurry I often buy mini pizzas, just plain cheese and tomato - they don’t like other bits - which are very quick to cook.

Potato wedges are popular, and can be parboiled in advance and are better than chips, though Gdd must have ketchup with them.

Plain pasta with grated cheese is another popular one.

One of them will eat almost any fruit inc. tomatoes - dd calls him the fruit bat - while the other is more fussy but has lately - thank goodness! - decided that she does like broccoli.

TBH to avoid hassle I do just give them what I’m pretty sure they’re going to like.

I think there are lots of good suggestions here. I wouldn't force new food on them. Offer it but be prepared for refusal! Don't take offence if they don't want it. Ask what they fancy. If they don't fancy anything then leave it. As a feeder of family I am learning the hard way that dgs will eat or not. I no longer offer multiple choice as it was stressful for us both.

greenlady102 of course I asked their mother what they'd eat! She struggles too to find things they'd eat. I thought that as they were in a different environment they might just try something different.
I like the idea of the 'snacky treaty' plate. I can mix and match a bit as one wont eat ham and the other wont eat cheese! Crudites is also a good suggestion. I'll add in some carrot sticks and maybe even go wild and have a go at celery sticks. (Wont be wasted, I love celery soup)
I'll have beans in reserve. They used to eat them then seemed to stop. I suppose there's always boiled eggs and soldiers -if they'll eat eggs!
The trials of being a Gran. I must admit I'm looking forward to it!

Pizzas are theoretically a good idea but one wont eat them! Potato wedges sound like a good idea. I'll make up a bowl of strawberries. I'm sure they'll manage that.
One of the bonuses of DH is that he'll finish up anything.

Aveline

greenlady102 of course I asked their mother what they'd eat! She struggles too to find things they'd eat. I thought that as they were in a different environment they might just try something different.
I like the idea of the 'snacky treaty' plate. I can mix and match a bit as one wont eat ham and the other wont eat cheese! Crudites is also a good suggestion. I'll add in some carrot sticks and maybe even go wild and have a go at celery sticks. (Wont be wasted, I love celery soup)
I'll have beans in reserve. They used to eat them then seemed to stop. I suppose there's always boiled eggs and soldiers -if they'll eat eggs!
The trials of being a Gran. I must admit I'm looking forward to it!

if they are only there for a weekend, then I'd go with the flow and give them what they normally eat!

If only their Mum and I knew what that was! It seems to change from day to day.

My son was the same until he was 5, then he tried a garlic naan bread. At 23 he loves cooking and especially Japanese food. It makes me laugh when he still sniffs something new, he always did that as a child. Just give them what they want. You don’t want a stressful time x

Call your DD and make a list of what they will eat. My DGS is very picky but I just rotate the things he will eat in different variations.

Also making sure he is VERY hungry increases the chances he will eat well. At times, he eats no dinner and goes to bed without. Wakes up the next day and is far less fussy about what he'll eat for breakfast.

Gagajo yes I think I might be quite tough. If they're hungry enough they'll eat. I've got all sorts of things ready. If the worst comes to the worst they won't starve in two days.

My GS is also a fussy eater and I get around it by asking him what he wants to eat and then saying that he'll have to help me prepare and cook it, so that I get it right. Because he's been involved in making the meal, he never fails to eat the lot.

I've just WhatsApped the eldest and asked what he fancied for Sunday lunch. He replied 'Porridge and honey'. Oh well that's a start. The younger one won't touch either of those.

I would go down the route of preparing a recipe and getting them to help. Perhaps look through some cook books and seeing what they’d like to make.
I agree most kids like sausages perhaps if they wanted to help you could make batter for toad in the hole. Also I think most kids like baked beans even if it was just with toast they are getting protein and one of the five a day.
Would they eat burgers? You could make you’re own together and they would go well with potato wedges.
I’d second making pizzas too and they can put own toppings on.
Failing that eat out so they can choose from a menu 🤣
Good luck and enjoy the time with them.

Thanks. Can't go out right now. They're supposed to be 'helping' Gran after her hip replacement.
Burgers are a no-no, only one likes pizza. I'll get the porridge and honey requested and make up 'picky plates' as suggested.

Two of my grandsons don't like tomato so that instantly rules out a lot of the pizza/pasta recipes. The third one has a reputation for eating anything, except that he eats very little meat. One gets hungry but likes very little actual food, the other one doesn't often get hungry and happily misses meals. The oldest one is nearly 15 and is beginning to get slightly more adventurous.

My son wouldn't eat cabbage at home, but when he was staying at Grandma's house she served him some with his dinner. Being a good boy, he ate it, and found he enjoyed it.
I would try giving them what you want to eat. If they really don't like it, you always have peanut butter sandwiches as a substitute.