About The Picky Eater
Hi! I’m Anjali. I’m the Nutritionist and Health Coach behind The Picky Eater®. I’m so happy you found me! Here you will find healthy, family-friendly and kid-friendly recipes that are easy to make and taste GREAT!
About The Picky Eater®
The Picky Eater® is a place where you can browse hundreds of plant-based recipes covering all types of courses, diets and cuisines. In addition, I provide healthy tips, insights, and resources for parents and kids of all ages.
Main Topics I Cover
- Over 800 vegetarian friendly recipes by meal: breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and more
- Recipes for different dietary needs including: vegan recipes, gluten free recipes, vegetarian keto, baby food recipes, and kid friendly meals.
- Different cuisines including: Asian, Thai, Mediterranean, Indian, Mexican, Italian and more.
- Find the healthiest products for your kids in my best for kids guides
You’ll see nutrition information provided for my recipes, but my philosophy around food isn’t focused on calories. Instead, I prioritize eating lots of plant-based foods with a little indulgence here and there. I am vegetarian, and have raised my kids to be vegetarian, so those are the type of recipes that you’ll see here. (Although I have to say, meat-eaters love my recipes too!)
The Picky Eater® is a place of no-judgement and no-diets. I believe in healthy eating, but I do NOT believe in deprivation. I believe you can have your cake (in moderation!) and eat it too!
Why “The Picky Eater”?
I grew up a “whole wheat” girl: I was raised in the healthy-eating, organic-obsessed, farmer’s market-driven culture of the San Francisco Bay Area. My childhood was filled with fruits, vegetables and home cooked meals; I was raised to be “picky” about what I put into my body and to eat junk food in moderation.
I always thought of myself as a picky eater in the non-traditional sense of the word: that it was all about being choosy about finding healthy options to put into your body.
Then I got married and ended up with a family of TRUE picky eaters – in the traditional sense of the word! I realized that the only way I could convert my family into healthy eaters would be to cook healthy versions of the foods they loved: pizza, pasta, and fast-food.
My Blog Was Inspired By:
- My journey teaching myself to cook, and using my “picky eater” philosophy to help my whole family eat healthier.
- Expanding my family’s palate to enjoy just about every healthy food out there.
- My ability to transform my kids into veggie-loving, sprouted-wheat-bread-eating, health conscious little ones!
- Making healthy food taste good for families all over the world!
What started as a way to catalog my own journey cooking healthy meals that my picky-eating family would love has since turned into an online destination visited by millions of people a year. I’m so grateful for the community we’ve built here, and the connections I’ve built with all of you!
About Anjali Shah
I am a board certified health coach, wife, mom of two, cookbook author, and self-taught chef who develops all of the recipes on The Picky Eater®, and investigates the truth behind food products on grocery store shelves, so you can find the healthiest options for your family.
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) and my nutrition certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I absolutely LOVE food and I am passionate about healthy living for the whole family – including picky eaters! Learn more about me here!
Meet The Team
Sophia DeSantis
In early 2024, I met Sophia DeSantis: a mom of 3, recipe developer and food blogger behind Veggies Don’t Bite, ACE certified health coach, photographer, and cookbook author! We had so much in common – we’re both moms, plant-based foodies, and are passionate about health and wellness – that it made sense for her (and all of her recipes at veggiesdontbite.com to join us here at The Picky Eater!)
So as of April 2024, I’m so excited to share that I have acquired veggiesdontbite.com, and that Sophia is now part of my team! I’m so excited to have her on board, her recipes are absolutely delicious, and over time you will find all of them on this blog, as I merge her site with my own. Learn more about Sophia here!
Medical Reviewers & Dietitians
While The Picky Eater is mostly focused on healthy recipes that kids and adults alike will enjoy, you’ll find that I also have a section on my blog called “best for kids” – where I recommend some of the healthiest products for your child including vitamins, baby formula, snacks, baby food, cereals, granola bars, and more.
To ensure that any product recommendations I’m providing are 100% accurate and align with current dietary guidance for kids, I have three pediatric dieticians on my team who fact check, review, and sign off on my articles in my best for kids section. You’ll see them mentioned on any articles they have reviewed and fact checked. Here’s more about them!
Linzy Ziegelbaum, MS, RD, CDN
Linzy Ziegelbaum is a New York based pediatric Registered Dietitian and the owner of the private nutrition practice LNZ Nutrition LLC. She has her Masters in Nutrition from Lehman College and her bachelors from Syracuse University, did her clinical dietetic internship at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital, and formerly worked as a clinical nutritionist at Hospital for Special Surgery and as a Pediatric Dietitian at Northwell’s Allergy/Immunology office. She specializes in areas such as: helping families remove stress from meal times, helping children with food allergies and intolerances meet their nutrition needs through diet, and helping youth athletes learn how to fuel their bodies for sports. Linzy has frequently been quoted as a nutrition expert, and recently started a youth sports nutrition blog.
Katie Drakeford, MA, RD, CSP, LD, CLC
Katie graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a Master’s in Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship through OU. She has over a decade of experience helping people of all ages meet their nutritional needs but found her passion in pediatrics. She currently holds a Board Certification in Pediatric Nutrition and is a Certified Lactation Counselor. You can learn more about her on her LinkedIn page here.
Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN
Christina Badaracco is a consultant, author, and educator focusing on elevating the role of nutrition in healthcare and better aligning our food and healthcare systems. She regularly writes, teaches, and presents about nutrition, culinary medicine, and sustainable agriculture – including publishing The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide in 2019. She earned her MPH from the University of California, Berkeley, and her bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, with a minor in Italian Language and Culture, from Princeton University. She completed her dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and was selected as a 2021 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year and 2023 Emerging Dietetic Leader by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. You can learn more about her on her website and LinkedIn page.
In The Media
Work With Me
I partner with brands and organizations in a variety of ways, including speaking engagements, guest writer contributions, brand collaborations and more. Learn more about how to work with me here.
Connect With Me
The best way to contact me is via email: anjali@pickyeaterblog.com
You can also find me on social media and other platforms here:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- X (Twitter)
- Subscribe via email to The Picky Eater to get my newest recipes and tips delivered straight to your inbox.
I love hearing from my readers or anyone who is interested in learning more about the world of healthy living and flavorful eating. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments or feedback. I respond to every message I get!
Anjali, I’m from Brazil and simply loved your blog! I recently visited my sister in California for the first time and wish I could come back soon! I loved California!
I was trying to find some recipie with outmeal and I just found your blog. Wonderful! I’m married and mom of two boys and I try to introduce fresh and nutricional foods for my family. I also try to explain what’s a junk and a heathy food for them. I think it’s working. They love salads and vegetables and doensn’t like mac donald’s stuff.
I also loved your travel photos, specially the ones that are in Brazil. I live in the south of my country but I never went to Amazon forest (just in Magic Kingdom, heheheh), but I pretend to go.
Congratulations for your blog!
Hi Rejane! It’s so great to meet you! Thanks so much for your kind words about my blog – I’m so happy you like my recipes!! It’s wonderful that you’re doing so much for your family to keep them eating healthy foods – it sounds like what you are doing is definitely working 🙂 Oh and yes, I loved my trip to Brazil – it’s a beautiful country! Thanks again Rejane!
I happened to stumble across your blog om a recipe I found and i love how you describe your husband. I grew up “wheat bread”, but my emotional eating started to get outta control about 3 years ago (during which I have had 2 babies) its been really hard to gain control of until recently, I literally started to “detox” from fast food and cooking better for my hubby and I and the kids. I already feel 100% better. I am happy to find this blog for healthy meal ideas because I am not creative in the kitchen! Cant wait to see what I find!
Hi Hayley! Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your story with me! It completely makes sense why you had trouble eating healthy — 2 kids in 3 years can certainly make things a LOT busier! 🙂 But it’s so great that you’ve been able to get back on track. I can’t wait to hear how you like my recipes – keep me posted on how things go!
Hello Anjali,
I just stumbled across your blog while looking for recipes on healthy salads and I must say I love everything you have suggested. I have always wanted to make my own falafels but never knew the right approach for it to be as healthy as possible. Tonight I shall be baking my falafels, very excited.
LOVING YOUR BLOG, PLEASE KEEP IT UP!!!
THANK YOU 🙂
Hi Rujina!! Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s so great to meet you 🙂 I can’t wait to hear how the baked falafel recipe turns out for you – I’m sure you will love it 🙂 Thanks again!!
Hi Anjali!
I just found your blog, congratulations, is great.
I’m a dietitian from Monterrey, México.
My boyfriend lives in San Diego, he’s a Doctor and he is trying to apply to his Medical Residency.
I love your story and I feel identified. Andrés (that’s his name) and I love to travel as well, and to discover new gastronomic concepts.
I personally try to give my patients new ideas for healthy cooking, so I might share some recipes from your blog if that is ok with you.
Thank you in advance and congratulations once again!!!
Best,
Luisa.
Hi Luisa!! Thank you so much for your kind words – it is so great to meet you! It sounds like we have a lot in common 🙂 And yes absolutely – you can share as many recipes from my blog as you like with your patients – I hope it helps!! Thank you again!
Just came across your blog and LOVE it! Amazing recipes. I am a certified holistic health coach and I am always looking for new recipes to share.
Happy cooking!
In health and happiness, Tracy ( http://www.beefitwithtracy.com)
Hi Tracy!! Thank you so much for your kind words – it’s so nice to meet you!! Hope you have a great week! 🙂
Hi,
So my husband loves veggies and has been trying to get me to eat healthy, I just don’t like veggies especially peppers. I want to get fit and eat healthy and now we live close to a market. How did your husband get over the different texture?
Hi Erin! Thanks so much for reaching out! So with most veggies, my husband’s issue was more about the taste vs. the texture. And so, I found ways to “sneak” more veggies into our meals (e.g. adding them into sauces, as filling, etc.) and adding tons of flavor with spices etc. Do you like crunchy things? If so, keeping the veggies relatively uncooked might be something to try for you — since peppers when they are closer to raw vs. cooked – are super crunchy and juicy. I think I’d have to better understand what about the texture bothers you and then I can give you more specific tips on what to do about it. But in a general sense, find flavors that you love (spices, etc) and cook the veggies you want to eat using those flavors. Combine the veggies with other things you enjoy — e.g. beans, cheese, salsa, guac for Mexican food; tomato sauce and pasta for Italian; etc. If you absolutely cannot stand any veggies at all, try pureeing them and then adding them into your meals — they will become completely absorbed by the sauce or other items in the meal and you may not even notice it! Hope that helps – but I’m happy to chat more in detail if you’d like! (you can email me at pickyeats@gmail.com if you want to talk more 🙂 ) Thanks and good luck!
Oh my goodness! Your story sounds exactly like me and my husband. I’m a vegetarian and he’s a pizza and potted-meat (yes, potted-meat) loving Texan. He’s an extremely picky eater – probably because his pallet never got a chance to develop since he only ate a few different things as a kid (no fruits or veggies). For the past four years I’ve been slowly working on expanding what he can eat and making it healthier. When he eats something new, it’s so rewarding, but often it feels like an uphill battle. I think there needs to be a “cooking for picky eaters” support group. Hoping some of your recipes can work for us. I’m very excited to try!
Haha! That is so awesome — you and I really do have the same story! You’re right, both of our husbands just weren’t exposed to things to help “expand” their palate when they were kids, and it’s definitely much harder to do as an adult. But it’s not impossible 🙂 I’m totally with you – when my husband recently stopped eating the frozen pizzas from his childhood I did a little happy dance haha. But yes, it does take a LOT of patience and consistency! You’ll have to keep me posted on how my recipes turn out for you and your husband, and please let me know if you have any questions in the meantime! Good luck!!
Anjali,
I LOVE your blog. I just stumbled upon it today and have been reading your posts for a couple of hours. I am also highly devoted to healthy eating and I especially love Indian food. I was in India last year. I am about to graduate from school and I just got into the blogging scene a couple months ago. I love to blog about healthy eating, living and organizing. I hope to gain inspiration from your posts!
Hi Cristina! Aw thank you so much for your kind words! It sounds like our food philosophies are very similar – I’d love to hear how you like my recipes when you try them!
Anjali,
You have a really great blog. I have been looking for recipe ideas for my son who is extremely picky with his food. He only eats meats and it’s hard for me to get him to eat any vegetables. If you have any good ideas for sneaking some vegetables into his diet please email me.
Thanks!
Hi! Thank you so much – it’s so nice to meet you! 🙂 And yes! I have tons of ideas on how to sneak veggies into your son’s diet. I’ll email you to share a few tips. Talk soon!
I used one of your ideas today Anjali. Bell peppers (both red and green) and mushrooms into a bolognese. I cut them fine enough and he didn’t even notice them. Awesome!
Hooray!! I’m so happy to hear that – thanks for letting me know!!
Hi Anjali! I just found your log and love it. I recently moved to the (east) Bay Area and am also passionate about eating healthy, organic food. This is a great place for picky eaters like us! 🙂
Hi Sarah!! Thanks so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you like my blog – and it’s so nice to meet you (especially since you also in the Bay!) Hope you’re enjoying your time here so far – if you ever need restaurant recommendations in the East Bay let me know – there is great food in that area!
Dear Anjali,
I was brought to your site by a cousin who posted the “Elvis Peanut Butter” sandwich because it looked so amazing. Well I must tell you I came away so inspired as to how you “secretly” transformed your husband into a much healthier guy. I’m jumping on board and making better choices, we have three wonderful children, and 3 wonderful grandchildren with the fourth on his way in a week or so. We want to be around for a long time to watch them grow, (and watch our kids get paid back). lol
We have both put on weight since we were married 34 years ago, and we are at a point where we have to do something. My husband Michael had knee replacement surgery a few years back, and has been on disability since, he has gained a lot of weight and I so worry about him. The problem with him is that he is home all day while I’m at work, he babysits our grandchildren to help our daughters out. I think it is hard to be home allday so that is why it is important to keep good choices in house. He does the food shopping and cooking and he loves to cook and eat, I think if he sticks to your site he will be just fine. I’m going to ask him what would Anjali cook??
So thank you so much for the inspiration that I got when I sat at my computer this morning, and for the lovely photos of vacations.
I will be frequenting your site for wonderful ideas and inspiration. Your wedding picture was so beautiful!
Hi Denise! Thank you sooooo much for your kind words and your thoughtful message! I’m honored that my blog has been helpful in getting you and your husband on a healthier path. Congratulations btw on the newest addition on the way for your family! Four grandchildren – that’s amazing 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you and your husband in any way as you experiment with my recipes at home. And definitely keep me posted on how things go! I’ll be rooting for you – take good care of yourselves! 🙂
Hey Anjali!
I’m laughing because I have been sitting around googling for various healthy recipes for my husband (and me) and I’ve ended up landing on your blog three times today! LOL! The latest land was for your baked falafel, for which I thank you! Am trying it today for SUPERBOWL! GO NINERS!!!! 😉
Weirdly, my husband was also raised in “Deep Dish” Chicago, and me, In Mt.View, CA (Bay area). He is also more of a refined carb guy, and with his latest labwork, we are working to correct all that an unhealthy diet has contributed to his health.
Conversely, he is the Desi (born in Kerala), and I am the Portuguese girl and home winemaker/wine enthusiast! Anyway, thanks for sharing the pics, recipes, and bits about you and the husband!
Namaste,
Lisa and Santosh in CA
Haha!! Omg that is so awesome – love that you and your husband have such a similar story to me and my husband as well! Btw – so sad about what happened with the Niners on Sunday – hope you and your husband were still able to enjoy the game given the loss! How did the recipes turn out for you guys? And are you still living in the Bay Area? We’re practically neighbors! 🙂
We mourned the Niners loss, but the baked falafel and other goodies (hummus, feta, veggie plate, and samosa-baked potatoes) definitely helped ease our pain! Santosh and I aren’t in the Bay area anymore (farther north, in Redding). But we did just go back for a big wedding in Chicago last week…. FREEZING! His mom’s home-Keralan cooking was what warmed me up!
Keep on bloggin’! I’ll keep on cooking!
🙂
Lisa
Ok samosa baked potatoes sounds delicious!! Do you have the recipe for that? I’d love to try it! Haha omg – Chicago is definitely freezing this time of the year. I love South Indian food – I’m sure it was delicious! Hope you are having a great weekend!
Oh, it’s so easy! I got the idea one day out of pure laziness, and now my family asks for the samosa baked potatoes. I was making filling for samosas with some random recipe I had in one of my many indian cookbooks, and was kind of not looking forward to making the dough, when it occured to me I could just “cheat”, and re-fill the potato shells with the filling and re-heat, as a sort of “twice-baked” potato! That’s it! I see you have a traditional Indian Samosa recipe: Just skip the dough (and the frying!), and put that delicious filling right back into your potato skins…. re-heat, and YUM! It’s a lot faster and makes a great side dish to a curry. (I’m a big fan of “curry in a hurry” recipes!)
😛
Omg I LOVE that idea!!! I am absolutely going to try it soon 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration Lisa!!
Hi Anjali,
Your blog is refreshing and love that you are a picky eater, me too. I converted my husband to vegggies, and we have a great garden. I grew up in midwest and all our family had gardens. I just celebrated 1 year of no meat in my diet. I am looking forward to coming back often for recipes. Are you also on Pinterest?
Hi Kay! Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you like my blog – and congrats on being vegetarian for the past year and converting your husband!! Eventually, I’d like a garden of my own too 🙂 And yes! I am on Pinterest. You can find me at: https://pinterest.com/thepickyeater/. Keep me posted on how my recipes turn out for you!
Hi Anjali! Your website ROCKS! Fun travels & fantastic recipes! I love all the food photos. They make my mouth water and inspire me to make your dishes. Thanks for all the great posts!
Hi Sarah!! Awwww thank you so much!! You are so sweet. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my posts 🙂 Hope you’re doing well!
Hi Anjali! First of all, GO GIANTS!!! I’m a MASSIVE SF fan! Second, I recently found your blog while searching for a vegetarian tortilla soup. I read through your blog and was so inspired by your journey with food. I’m a vegetarian as well and enjoy cooking new recipes, but I’m not as creative as you. I’m curious to know if your husband is a vegetarian, or did he stop eating meat when you got married? If not, is it a challenge to be married to someone who is a meat eater?
Hi Stephanie!! It’s so nice to meet you! Happy new year – and yay Giants! 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words – I hope you enjoyed the tortilla soup recipe. To your question – yes, my husband is a vegetarian – he was vegetarian when I met him, so I’m not sure how challenging it would be if he did eat meat. My guess is, that as long as both people were willing to be a bit flexible, that anything could be worked out – which might just be the optimist in me. Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali, I found your site through SkinnyTaste, which I make many recipes from. I am anxious to view your recipes and incorporate them into my healthy lifestyle. I downloaded your 7 day meal plan, I love that you do that! I am a planner and I always know what I’m eating for the week. Your meal plan is very similar to how I eat already. Thanks again for your site, loved reading your story and about all your travels. Thanks for inspiring this 52 year old who loves to eat healthy too! I’m always looking for new ideas to help me stay on track.
Thanks again!!
Hi Debra! It’s so nice to meet you! 🙂 I’m so glad you liked my meal plan – I can’t wait to hear how you like my recipes. Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m excited to stay in touch with you through my blog! Happy healthy eating!