If anything is going to cause a dinnertime showdown, it's a fussy eater. You might sit down with great intentions of keeping your cool and ignoring any whining, but it's not always that easy when your child is having a meltdown over 'the green thing' on their plate. The immediate stress of sitting around that dinner table is bad enough, but then you have to deal with a whole solar system of worry that surrounds the issue of dealing with a picky eater. Is my child getting all the nutrients he needs? Will he ever grow out of it? Do I have to make toast for dinner for the rest of my life? The truth is that there are some foods that will never appeal to your child's tastes, but with a little bit of work, the situation can improve.

Check out our top tips for feeding the fussy eater in your life.

Sneaky Vegetables

There's a reason this tip is the first thing that springs to mind when fussy eaters are mentioned. It works. Pack as many vegetables as you can into your child's diet by hiding them in a sauce. Your blender will become your best friend and you can gradually leave little chunks of tasty veg in the sauce as your child becomes a little more adventurous. You could also try mashing parsnips or cauliflower into potatoes for a hidden nutrient boost.

Try it:

Hidden Veg Pasta Bake with Chicken Strips
Shepherdette Pies

Family Style

Kids love being in control, and serving the meal family-style so your child can build his own meal is a great way to get your fussy eater to try something different. Make a game of it. If you're having burgers put bowls of healthy toppings on the table and challenge the kids to a 'build the biggest burger' competition. Anything that can be easily assembled at the table is a fantastic way to get the kids more involved with their food.

Try it:

Chicken Fajitas with Caramelised Red Onion and Peppers

Cook Up A Storm

Let the kids get stuck into the cooking. They'll feel a real sense of pride when the finished meal is served and they'll be much more likely to give it a try to see how well they did. If they're a bit reluctant to help out, start with something fun you know they'll like, such as chicken goujons with a cheese and onion crisp coating. Okay, it's not the healthiest of meals, but it's a great way to entice them into the kitchen to help. Once they're hooked on cooking, they'll love trying new things.

Try it:

Crunchy Chicken Goujons with Mixed Leaf Salad
Chicken Tray Bake with Sweet Potato and Curry Spices

Lead By Example

This is an obvious one, but if you spend the first few minutes of your meal picking peppers out of your curry, you're essentially giving your child permission to do the same thing. Suck it up! If you're really struggling, it hopefully won't go on for too long, and who knows? You might discover a hidden love for broccoli or fish. (Bonus tip: Start with some tasty smoked white fish.)

Try it:

Smoked Haddock Bake with Leek and Potato

Name It

It might seem silly, but children love anything that's associated with their favourite TV characters. My brother was tricked into eating all sorts of colourful vegetables because he thought he was eating Power Rangers dinners. He also wouldn't eat butter, so bread and butter pudding was renamed to make it sound more appealing to him. Worth a try!

Sweeten The Deal

What's life without treats? I'm not a huge fan of raisins (that's an understatement - they're evil) but mix them into an indulgent (and healthy) bowl of fruit, nuts and chocolate and I'm in. Desserts and sweet treats are the perfect way to introduce fruity flavours and a variety of textures to fussy eaters. They're not going to turn down a treat, are they?

Try it:

Sin-Free Fruit and Nut Chocolate Triangles
Blood Orange and Banana Popsicles

Above all, remember that it takes time, and as long as your child is eating something, you're doing just fine.

We'd love to hear from you if you try any of these tips or if you have anything to add. Let us know in the comments below. You'll also find us on Facebook and Twitter. Happy cooking!