17 Month Old Son Will Only Eat Spaghetti

Hi F.,

I have a nineteen month old son that started out as a great eater....in other words, anything edible he would eat. Then he went through a stage for a few months that he would only eat ravioli, spaghetti, ect... Both my husband and I both agreed to keep giving him meats and if he was hungry enough he would eat. Although he would eat normal breakfast foods in the morning. He now is back to eating well again, they say their taste change back and forth so I would just remain patient and keep trying new things...he might find something he really likes! Good Luck.

Spaghetti is actually a pretty good one to get stuck on. Try to get pasta that is higher in protein. But, all pasta does have some. Will he eat it if there is meat in the sauce? That is a great way to add protein. You can also shred zuccini, carrots, or other veggies. Another trick that my son's ped. recommended to add protein. Add some powdered milk to the sauce! It adds protein & calcium! He will never know it's there!
Hope you get the help you need on all fronts. Good luck.

a child will not starve himself. i would stop giving the spagetti and start offering different foods instead. you can start with similar pasta based foods, but quickly expand to new things so he doesn't switch to only eating the new food. i have worked with many picky eaters as a behavioral therapist, this will work. He might skip a few meals but he will eat alternative foods. sometimes this picky eating can be a symptom of something else. does he have any developmental delays or is he developing typically?

This reminded me of my brother. He went through a phase of eating nothing but soft-boiled eggs and ketchup. Then it was nothing but peanut butter, then dry cereal with milk on the side. He even went through a dog food phase (a very short one). Each time my mother would call the pediatrician, and the doctor's response was that at least the kid was eating something.
I remember my brother had lots of problems with "textures" of foods, and that they would actually make him gag. If he was forced to eat something, he would vomit (and that would be the end of that). We spent a lot of vacation time looking for nice restaurants that served hamburgers. Basically, our mom went with what he wanted, hid foods when she could (ground veggies in sauces, applesauce and raisins in oatmeal and cakes), put samples of different foods on his plate for him to try or not. He drove my parents nuts as a child but once they learned to stop fussing over him he grew himself out of it by his teen years. He's now 6'3" and eats almost anything.
If you're really worried, have your pediatrician check him out and ask about multivitamins. Best of luck.

My son got to where he would only eat noodles with cheese. I had to cut them out cold turkey. It was a rough few days, but he got over it and started eating something else. I fed him some of his other preferred foods to get through the hump. After a few days, he was more willing to eat something else.
I would address it. He is about to start heading into the really picky eating stage.
Good luck.

My daughter was that way for awhile. From the time she was 5 months old, she wanted torillas. I would give her very small pieces of one when we were eating dinner. She would not eat anything else, nor would she take a bottle unless she got a torilla. Even at 5 months old. So I gave her the torillas and her bottles. As she got older, she went straight to table food, (she only at baby food at daycare). She is now 10 years old, a healthy as a horse, and eats a varity of things. Kids know what they like, and what they want to eat. Have you ever craved something during that time of the month, and that's all you want? You'll eat something else, but you are not quite satisfied?? Even as an adult, I will go through phases when I will only eat fries. I will buy the family size bags of crinkle cut fries, and that's all I'll eat for a few days. I hope this helps you.

Hi,
This request was sitting in my inbox while it got very busy and I didn't have time to respond. I just wanted to tell you that my daughter went through "a phase" where she had to eat pasta every day and now that she's grown her body can't tolerate it. If she even has a small portion she will get diarrhea. She's 29 and pregnant with her 2nd child and told me she was able to eat a rice pasta the other day. Several of us in the family have a wheat sensitivity. I even wonder if I have celiac but never been diagnosed. Both my daughter and I feel so much better if we're off wheat yet if we eat it again we seem to crave it.

I'm sorry you're in an unhappy marriage. I would really wonder about these women that wrote, "very happily married to a wonderful man". First, I didn't think there were that many wonderful men out there (ouch) but really it's because of my experience. I grew up with an alcoholic dad. I was married the first time for 20 years to a controlling abuser. Now I've been married for 10 and it was very difficult for some years but things are good now that he's grown up some and I've healed more from the baggage I brought into the marriage. Over all I really have a much better life than I once had, grandchildren make all the suffering of the past worth it! Hang in there and believe for better days ahead.

Mom tells stories of my childhood when I went through a "weenies" phase. All I would eat was hot dog weenies. Morning noon and night. I even have a memory of her giving me a pb & j HOT Dog! Yuck. The doctor told her that it was a phase and I would not be nutritionally deficient. And of course it didn't last.

I suggest flint stone gummi vitimins and pedia-sure until the phase passes. Maybe try "Ronzoni" multi grain noodles and keep offering things with the noodles. You never know when he'll pick up those side dishes. Try not to make it a battle. If you seem fine w/ his choice, he may change his mind because his manipulative tactics don't work anymore.

Hey,
I wanted to tell you that we are vegetarian and my daughter is also a veggie by choice as she will not eat meat. I use the Barilla Plus brand of spaghetti since it has a ton of protein in it. http://www.barillaus.com/Home/Pages/PLUS_information.aspx Throw in a handful of edamame in his pasta or puree some broccoli/spinach in the sauce for even a little more protein. That is what we do and she seems to get plenty of protein.
Hope that helps.

F., a few things to think about: It seems as though your concern is more about where he is getting his protein (thru meat). What about lack of veggies and fruits? If you can not make your own with fresh veggies and tomatos, try Organic Muir Glen or Whole Foods 365. Many of the commercial brands have high fructose corn syrup and msg (which are addicting and harmful to children). As for the pasta, try the brown rice or whole wheat (traditional ones are depleted of vitamins and mineral) . Also, meals need to contain a small amount of healthy fat (olive oil, avocado for brain health and to help absorb protien. Please, don't feel that your child HAS to eat meat in order to get proper nutrition. There are plenty of books out there such as Raising Vegetarian Children by Stepaniak, and Vegetarian Children by Yntema. Deceptionately Delicious by Seinfeld is main stream. Keep exposing him to as many types of foods as possible (by putting them on your plate) whether he tries them or not, something you least expect may peak his interest. Multi vitamins may actually be more harmful than helpful, because some are loaded with sugar, try to avoid the ones with H.F. corn syrup, food colors with #s, and vitamin d-l tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E). I also have to tell you that I am not a big fan of milk for many reasons, (checkout www.notmilk.com). I hope some of this helps. I have a B. S. in Holistic Nutrition. www.mybiopro.com/claudia13

I didn't have time to read all the replies, so sorry if this is a repeat!!! My daughter was the same way with spaghetti too. I was worried, but got over it real quick. I started adding fresh veggies cut into tiny pieces which I would cook down in the sauce. I believe they get enough protein out of hamburger meat. With the pasta and veggies I think they are getting what they need.

With my children they did not get anything special. They got what was made or they did not eat. If they are hungry, they WILL eat.

But if you are going to keep him on just spaghetti make your own with hamburger meat, chicken, or even italian sausage in it. And like all others said, use the whole wheat or Ronzoni pastas.

Hi F.,
You really don;t have a problem- his body will get what it needs- I had one son- (out of 12 children) and he would only eat pasta, cheese and vienna sausges (ugh) but he grew up just fine- eventually his taste buds will change andhe will learn to like other foods. It isn;t that he just does not like other foods, it is the texture in his mouth that he does not like.- You might try some protien powders you can sprinkle over his foods (not more than a tablespoon) at his age- if your physcian says it is ok- otherwise- let him eat to his hearts content- he will out grow it and be just fine.
good luck and
Blessings

I woundn't worry about it too much, it's just a phase that he is going through. I had a pizza phase at about 5 years old. All I wanted for b,l,d was pizza. It lasted a little while, then it was over.

I agree with the other posters in that you should try the whole wheat pasta for more nutrition. Grind meat in a food processor to add to the sauce. You could even grind up some vegetables.

Don't fret so much over it. He will go through a lot of food phases as he grows up. My 6yo right now is going through the "I don't like it" phase. Our rule is that if it is something new, he has to try at least one bite of it. If he doesn't like it, fine. If it is something he has eaten in the past, he has to eat it.

You can add a little meat in with the spaghetti. Grind it up very small. If you make your own, do the healthy whole grain noodles or something with the mix. Look at the package, the noodles have protein. Keep offering other foods, this stage will pass as long as he is offered other things.

HA, the "terrible twos" came early in your house!
The other moms have given you great advice. He is taking the easy way out. He knows he likes it and does not want to risk or give the energy to "trying" new things.

You can teach him to be a "brave taster". Tell him to at least try new foods and do not make a big deal out of it. On his plate, only put tiny servings of new foods. Tell him you will give him more of what he likes if he will taste everything.

If you go the "cold Turkey" route start that on a Friday so that the daycare will not have to be responsible for the first lunch with no spaghetti. Do "cold turkey" starting on Friday night. That way you can deal with it for 2 whole days before he goes back to school. He will not starve, he will "work your last nerve", so be prepared.

It is not to early to tell if he is not a risk taker, watch him with his other activities and set an example yourself. Teach him that taking risks and not always being successful is ok.

Try egg noodles...! I found some thin sized ones in the Jewish section of HEB and my 2 yo didn't notice the difference between those and regular pasta. The thick egg noodles in the regular pasta section were too big and chewy.

Also, might I suggest vegetable noodles...?

And you can boil the noodles in beef/chicken broth (get the organic kind; otherwise lots of MSG!) for added protein.

Also, when my daughter was going through a picky phase, I cooked ground beef for her spaghetti, but made sure the bits were super tiny. No chunks of meat. That way, she couldn't help but eat some of the beef in the sauce. You can also add some grated cheese to the sauce for added calcium and protein.

However, keep offering him other foods. Sometimes it takes 20 times before they will try something!

Don't worry about it! Your son loves the texture of the spaghetti right now. Keep offering him different things but if it doesn't work don't worry about it. He will move on to another phase pretty soon.

Make sure to offer other foods at every meal, regardless of whether he will eat them. Just a small amount, enough for a taste or two. Do you all eat together? Children are often very interested in what is on their parents' plates. I know my twin boys (17 mos. this week) are much more likely to try something new if they see me or my husband eating it.

Were you or your husband a picky eater? If so, then likely part of this is inherited so don't despair. As long as you keep modeling good eating habits and introducing small amounts of new food, he should grow out of it.

In the meantime, to get more protein and veggies into him, you might try cooking the spaghetti in chicken stock and adding peas and spinach (run the spinach through a food processor) with a little olive oil and parmesan cheese. Most kids don't like the texture of meat at this age, so you have to sneak in the protein where you can.

First- I love your "a little about me" - honest.
My 13 yr old has always gone on jags where she will eat only one thing at a time. Spaghetti happens to be one of her favorites right now- it used to be bean burritos- before that it was Hot Pockets. This will pass. Spaghetti is a good one though because even now (she is a horribly picky eater- like her father who is worse about trying stuff than any of his kids) I hide stuff in it. The only vegetables she will eat are canned peas and corn. (Her father, also) Soooo -I buy baby food containers of vegetables and mix them in- squash or sweet potatoes don't affect the color of the sauce. When I open a jar of spaghetti sauce I mix in the pureed veggies, then freeze the leftovers in single serve plastic cups so I can microwave whenever she wants. You could also try pureeing meat and adding it in- it might be a texture thing. That is my daughter's hang up- the texture of some foods can literally make her gag. And add lots of cheese to the sauce. Voila! Dairy and veggies and he thinks he's only eating his favorite spaghetti. My daughter is really suspicious of "What's in it?" but she has never commented on any taste difference when I secretly add stuff in. Add a vitamin- call it a day-worry about something else.

Try the whole wheat spaghetti - you can get it from Kroger's - it's inexpensive and much healthier than the non-whole wheat noodles - protein and all - also, introduce other good foods to him even if he won't eat them - good for his expectations not to get set that only 1 food is the norm - think a lot of kids go through this - they love the taste and/or the texture so it's a different kind of experience for them. Try olives, shredded cheese, peas, grapes and cherry tomatos cut in half ....

my 14 mo daughter gets in ruts like that also. have you tried mixing veggies in with the pasta? i get her to eat broccoli mixed in mac n'cheese and peas & carrots mixed in her spaghetti. i have the jessica seinfeld "deceptively delicious" cookbook and she has 3 recipes for spaghetti variations w/ broccoli, carrot and/or sweet potatoe puree. i know it's not protein, but at least there is more nutrition that way. maybe you could try adding some meat puree into the sauce also? i haven't tried this recipe but the other's i've tried have been good. let me know if you are interested and i will email you the recipes.

Hi F. ,
I have a 5 year (autistic ) old son that was stuck on pasta and anything starchy. So Jennica 's question about if your son is developing and hitting his developmental milestone is a very good question. If he is that is awesome , but if he isn't look into it .Little do many of us parents know that certain food addictions at an early age are red flags for other things .
What I have done is I switched from regular pasta to Rice pasta . Rice pasta does not taste as good as regular pasta I make my own spaghetti sauce or meatballs in which I puree vegetables, put them in a blender with the sauce to where he can barely detect the texture . First I started out with minimal amounts so he would not detect it , than gradually increased the veggies . Also make sure that they blend in and don't change the color of the usual sauce. I also make him meatballs in which I mix in an egg(protein). The success lies behind the fact that he does not like the rice spaghetti version and has therefore completely dropped asking for any noodles , and now only eats the meat balls in the sauce . Also what I do is puree cooked chicken and mix a small amount into his cupcakes that I give him as a treat . This might not sound very appealing , but let me tell you , creativity goes a long way ..... Chicken is pretty blan and colorless so he won't notice it .
This has worked for me , and believe me I have a picky eater , and I always worry about getting nutrition into this guy.
Hang in there keep offering him new foods , in the beginning he may gag , and what not,don't force him to eat anything , but keep reintroducing it to his taste buds, eventually they come around and if they get hungry enough they will try different things.
Hang in there , and this too shall pass .
38 , unhappily married , 1 son
God bless

He won't starve I promise. Stop feeding him speghetti and offer him a wide variety of food including cheeses and peanut butter and beans for protein. Eventually he will eat, and it will happen before he starts to suffer from starvation. Consult your pediatrician if you need to for more advice.

With something like spag. you can puree anything and mix it in with the sauce. Ex.. ground beef, chicken, veggies