If you've ever lovingly prepared a home-cooked meal, only to watch it launched from a highchair or met with a firm "no," you're not alone. Feeding children is one of the most rewarding yet challenging parts of parenting.

We chatted with nutritional consultant and chef Melanie Hadida, whose journey from fussy eater to flavour-loving foodie is packed with wisdom, laughs and hope for all of us navigating fussy eating, weaning, and mealtime madness.

From fussy eater to food advocate

"I was just fantasising about giving them hummus and portobello mushrooms," laughed Melanie, remembering the feeding struggles of her twin girls during lockdown. Despite growing up in a foodie family in Montreal, Melanie didn’t always love food. "I was actually a bit of a fussy eater growing up," she admitted. It wasn’t until her travels to India that she discovered the joy of vegetarian cuisine and Ayurvedic cooking. That experience shaped her passion for nutrition, wellness and food as medicine.

Real talk on breastfeeding and early feeding challenges

When Melanie’s twins were born just before the UK’s first lockdown, feeding challenges hit hard. One baby breastfed easily; the other struggled. "My boobs were very confused," she joked. With limited access to face-to-face support and a deep dislike for pumping, Melanie eventually moved to formula for one twin and breastfed the other. "It was really tough," she shared. "I was just so ready to get to the food bit."

Weaning with flavour (and confidence!)

If you thought weaning meant bland purees and plain pasta, Melanie has news for you.

"Spices and herbs are really my passion… most spices aren’t spicy!" she explained. From the very beginning, Melanie added gentle herbs and nutrient-rich spices to her girls’ food. Think cauliflower with turmeric, peas with mint, and apples with cinnamon. This approach not only introduced new flavours but also important vitamins and minerals.

The power of staying calm at the table

If your child refuses a meal, it’s easy to feel frustrated - especially if you've spent ages preparing it.

"If they see that it’s going to bother you, they’re going to continue to," Melanie warns. Instead, she suggests a calm, relaxed attitude at mealtimes. "Okay, you don’t have to eat it," became her go-to phrase. Stress-free mealtimes, she says, help avoid food becoming a battleground.

Yes, there’s hope for fussy eaters

Got an eight-year-old who only eats beige food? Melanie’s advice: don’t panic.

"I started out as a fussy eater," she reminds us. Children’s palates evolve, especially as they grow socially and start eating in different settings. Even the most selective eaters might try something new at a friend’s house or in a different environment. Keeping mealtimes light and offering small tastes without pressure can shift the dynamic over time.

Letting kids take the lead in the kitchen

One of the most effective ways to get children excited about food? Let them cook.

"But you made it," is the magic phrase Melanie uses. Whether it’s sprinkling sesame seeds or building their own pizza, giving children control over their food can increase their willingness to try it. "It doesn’t have to be messy," she adds. "Sometimes it’s as simple as letting them add a squeeze of lemon."

Grocery shopping can be an adventure too

While the idea of shopping with toddlers may bring on a cold sweat, Melanie encourages parents to get children involved in food shopping - especially at markets.

"You never know - a fussy eater might point to something and say, ‘I want to try that.’" Her girls love picking out unusual fruit and vegetables, and vendors are often generous with samples. It’s a low-pressure way to build curiosity.

Safety first in the kitchen

As fun as kitchen adventures can be, safety is key. Melanie recommends age-appropriate tools like plastic knives that allow kids to chop without the risk. Tasks like peeling peas, sprinkling toppings or helping with baking give children a sense of contribution without danger.

"There are loads of recipes where kids don’t need to go near the hob," she reassures. "And even if they’re just watching you cook, talk them through what’s hot, what’s sharp. That learning sticks."

Cooking isn’t just a chore - it’s connection

"We call it invisible labour - but cooking is work our families should see," says Melanie. For her, bringing children into the kitchen isn’t just about eating well - it’s about sharing passion, effort and creativity. Whether you’re into food, fashion or football, letting children see what lights you up is powerful.

Quick, healthy meals on a budget

Need dinner in a flash that won’t cost the earth?

Melanie’s go-to is peanut butter noodles. "You don’t even need to turn the hob on - just pour boiling water over noodles and mix with peanut butter, soy sauce, a bit of citrus juice, and hot water," she shares. Add frozen peas or edamame for extra protein and you’re good to go.

She also swears by batch cooking and freezing sauces. "I do a lot of sauces on a Sunday, freeze them into cubes, and just boil up some pasta when I need a quick dinner."

And the ultimate budget superfood? Lentils. "They’re the most nutrient-dense food on the planet for the lowest cost," she says. With a bit of planning, nutritious family meals really can be affordable.

Takeaway tip from Melanie

"If your kids are fussy eaters, you’re not doing anything wrong," she says. "It really is down to nature what they like and what they don’t like. Try hard to take your own emotions out of it, keep it fun, keep it breezy, complain about it later to your friends… and you might just shift the dynamic."

From calming mealtime stress to embracing broccoli on pizza, this episode is full of practical, real-life tips that help families enjoy food together. Whether you're weaning a baby, cooking for a toddler, or trying to expand an older child's palate, you're not alone - and with the right approach, you might just raise an adventurous eater.

Listen to this episode of the Family Health by Mini First Aid podcast with Melanie, available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.

Melanie is a nutritional consultant and twin mum. She is the founder and owner of Spice & Green, a small specialty food business creating unique products with herbs and spices. She offers one-on-one nutritional consulting services and cooking workshops focusing on hormonal health, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition and cooking with young families.

Follow Melanie's Instagram page Boob to Table, for fun nutritious meal & snack ideas for babies and the family!