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You have all heard that varity is the spice of life, that goes for our bird pals also. Just as with our kids, we are also in charge of our pets' diet, and it is up to us to provide the best nutrition possible, and it doesn't hurt to make it fun along the way. Fresh fruit and vegatables are as important to them as it is to us. These along with cooked grains and a good pellet food, is very important to their well-being, both mentally as well as nutritionally. Just as it is much easier to give our kids fast foods, or a TV dinner, it is often faster and easier to give our bird kids a bowl of seed, but it is not what is best.
A pellet diet is a good place to start. They are designed to meet our pet's nutritional needs as well as their size. There are many brands, some with color, shape, and fruity scents. Others are uncolored pellets. Both are good, so pick one and try it. Unless you have bought a bird already on pellets, it will take some time, patience, and persistance to get your pet to eat them, but just as with kids and any new food, they will eventually get with the program. With my pets, I started with 1/4 pellets to 3/4 seed and gradually, over about a month, increased to 100 percent pellets. Take your time, but do be perssistant. It will pay off in the end.
Fresh food can be alot of fun for your pet. Hanging fruit and vegatables on hooks or holders made to hang from the top or sides of their cages or in toys designed to hold treats, gives them a way to occupy their time, as well as giving them some good nutruition. Since birds can see color, try some bright red peppers, green broccoli, or orange carrots. I have yet to see a bird from Finch size to Amazon turn down corn on the cob. As with any new food, it may take a few attempts before your bird kids really dig in, but once they do, they really enjoy it. When giving new fruits, remember that some seeds can be posionous, so find a list or ask your vet to be safe. I just remove all fruit seeds that I am not sure of. Thawed frozen veggies or fruit, can also be used, but watch for sugar in fruit, and remember to check that the food is not too hot or still cold.
Cooked food can also be an interesting way to treat your pet. Pre-mixed blends that you can cook in large or single portions are available and come in different flavors. They are alot easier than making up your own cooked pasta (minus the salt). Cooked pasta is also fun but remember that the salt we put in our own food can be way too much for our pets, so try to avoid it. I am always trying to find fun ways to get my bird kids (and my people kid too) to eat what is healthy as well as tasty. Although it can get a bit messy as they dig in the bowl to find their favorite food in the dish, I know that it is worth my time and effort to give them as much variety as I can. In the wild, birds find their own varitey, but as our companions, we must provide it for them. | 
