The Healthy Meals That Even the Pickiest Eaters Will Love

Low-maintenance eaters are nicknamed "good eaters" for a reason; they're super easy to cook for and dine out with. Indeed, during a meal with a good eater, you never have to worry about whether or not they're getting enough greens, if they'll enjoy your cooking, or if they'll like the restaurant you suggest. Picky eaters are cut from a rather different cloth. To complicate things further, they come in many forms: Some are children with developing palates (or an itch for independence) and thus are more sensitive to taste, some are adults who simply prefer blander flavors, and some have health concerns that require dietary restrictions.

Then there are those of us who are highly adventurous but maintain obscure preferences and aversions, which means we inevitably make adjustments to our orders. Since I fall into the latter category of fussy eaters, I decided to pull together a few recipes that will satisfy everyone. This way, you won't have to settle for pizza every time (not the worst-case scenario, but still). Each healthy meal is simple enough for milder eaters while also packing in enough flavor to spice things up for a well-rounded day of feasting. Scroll through to decide which six healthy meals for picky eaters you want to make for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, and dessert (gluten-free and vegetarian options included).

For Breakfast:Oatmeal With a Dessert-Like Twist

Something about oatmeal can just feel a little drab. And since your first meal of the day should get you started on a happy, inspired foot, a soggy bowl of oatmeal is just not going to cut it. That being said, oatmeal is a super-quick recipe to whip up when you're short on time, and it also happens to be really rich in magnesium for heart and bone health, protein for energy and metabolism, and fiber for an efficient digestive system.

This baked cranberry oatmeal recipe from Spoon Fork Bacon is the perfect answer to this tug-of-war, offering all those healthy perks but with a more comforting, appealing texture to those who don't love the classic bowl of oats. Packed with all that good stuff and sprinkled in cinnamon, a splice can be enjoyed by even the pickiest of eaters. It's served like a piece of cake, too, so kids may even believe that it's dessert for breakfast.

For Lunch: Protein-Packed and Textured Bowl

These chicken shawarma bowls from Half Baked Harvest have plenty of texture to keep you on your toes, but they don't call for any super-adventurous ingredients that will displease picky eaters. Plus, you can you always decide to swap out any you don't like, or simply exclude them altogether. The chicken is tender, moist, and juicy while the cheese adds a touch of saltiness, and the quinoa ensures a full, satisfied belly for the remainder of the afternoon. At the same time, each bite of this delicious bowl comes with asparagus, lettuce, avocado, and cucumber, so you can get your greens the tasty way. It's the perfect thing to make ahead of time and pack for lunch since you can toss all into one container.

For Dinner:A Make-Your-Own Taco Spread

Who doesn't love tacos? That's a rhetorical question. If you opt for corn tortillas instead of flour or even if you use lettuce cups instead of tortillas for a carb-free option, the fillings have plenty of wiggle room for ingredients that cater to your taste buds. If you include a few options and plenty of veggies in a spread, then you and the rest of the table can pick and choose what to include as you please. This chipotle chicken taco recipe from Half Baked Harvest is currently on our need-to-try list.