My 2 1/2 year old daughter has always been an amazing eater. There are still times when she eats things that astound other mothers--like raw broccoli with ranch, etc. However, I am struggling to get her to sit and eat a meal. We are also in the middle of potty training, and she gets a jelly bean every now and then for staying dry. I wouldn't worry so much about the extra sugar if she were eating healthy meals in between, but she is barely eating any breakfast anymore--just a little bit of fruit, and even today lunch time was one bite of pb & j and some strawberries. Does anyone have some fun, healthy recipes free of processed foods that they can share with me, or any tips/tricks for getting her to sit and eat through a whole meal? Thanks!
Don't worry this is quite common she is not growing as much now as she was. offer her variety of food and she will eat what she needs. when she begins to grow again she will start to eat more. It is a little discunserting the first time around but all children do that about this age.
Deborah S: mother of 4 (grown) and grandmother of 3.
Hello B..
I have had good luck with Annabel Karmel's cookbook, First Meals, and Rena Cole's Let's Eat Baby! cookbook.
K.
It sounds like your daughter is going through a growth spert.I have 4 daughters. The third one now 9,is my eater.shes not overwieght,but enjoys her food. When she stopped eatting and would maybe nibble on one or two things a day for a while there I got worried. The doc said she was growing and that this is normal. I also recall my brother and my other children putting on a little wieght just before a growth spert.Its like there body is preparing. It sounds like your daughter is fine ,but if she starts to lose to much wieght or if it lasts to long then I would take her in.
I experienced the same thing with my 4-1/2 year old. She was an amazing veggie eater earlier on, but as she gets older, her tastes seem to be narrowing, with lots of the healthier food choices now being rejected. On the advice of the pediatrician, we just keep offering up a good, healthy variety of foods and somehow she's getting what she needs. Although it seems there are days when she eats absolutely nothing, she's healthy, strong and growing. Good luck!
Yeah, this started for me at the same age and he is now past 3 years and we still have a problem. Protein shakes used to make me feel better as I could hide fish oil, veggie powder, probiotics, etc. in the shake. He doesn't want those so much anymore either.
Sorry, I have no advice. Just letting you know you're not alone. One thing, however, my son is rarely sick and seems to be getting taller and is gaining weight. I try to keep that in mind and not worry too much.
B.
My daughter is three, and while she is generally a good eater, she has gone for periods without eating much at all. One sure fire recipe she loves is stuffed quesadillas - I saute some veggies, usually zucchini and mushrooms, and sometimes add chicken. Then I warm up a tortilla and sprinkle some grated cheese on one half, and add the veggie saute on the other half. Warm it through just til the cheese starts to melt. Fold it up, cut it into four little wedges, and wa-lah! It's easy, nutritious and filling.
With Cailub (who is now 5 ) used to do this same thing we would buy him Pedia Sure. He liked the Strawberry and Chocolate the best with ice cubes and a straw... we told him it was his milkshake.
Have you tried the book by Jessica Seinfeld, "Deceptively Delicious?"
I know it's frustrating when your kids don't eat as much as they usually do, but in my experience this is only the beginning of the eating teater-totter. I firmly believe that kids somehow know what they need and they are very good at satisfying their needs. As long as she's still gaining weight and sticking to a normal growth pattern, I wouldn't worry. You're doing the right thing by offering her healthy foods and you just need to trust that she's eating what she needs to sustain herself.
hehe, sounds *just* like my boy. He's 6 now.
The best thing that has seemed to work is stopping all the food an hour before lunch time and dinner time, that seems to help him eat his meals better.
The other thing is to remember that they *do* eat so very little sometimes. Other times he'll eat and eat, and eat some more!! But this is usually a growth spurt and not the norm. They (at that age anyway) do not starve themselves.
Just keep having healthy choices for them to eat and they'll eat when hungry.
Sometimes changing up the presentation helps. ie, PBJ as a sandwich, then another day, PBJ in 1 inch cubes and another day in a shape cut with a cookie cutter. That seems to help some. Variety is good. Some days we WANT a PBJ sandwich and another day it's the LAST thing we want. I'm sure they have their "food moods" too.
Breakfast is a toughie for us too, cuz he (and I) just dont eat right when we get up, we usually get up and go about our day then eat maybe an hour later. But with school starting, he *has* to eat breakfast as he can't snack and graze as he does at home all morning while at school, it's breakfast, then wait till lunch!
First, Congratulations on adding another child to your family!
About your 2 yr old. They will always go through changes in their eating, sleeping, playing, learning habits. And as far as sitting down for a whole meal??? Sitting down for a long period of time to a young child is an eternity and really unrealistic...and just frustrating to parents:) How long are you expecting her to sit through a meal? What is the portion size of her meals? Young children don't need as much as adults do. Just a few slices of apples or a couple of strawberries, 1/2 banana, silver dollar size (or smaller) of protien etc. If there is too much on their plate it's overwhelming. Plus, kids often like to eat many mini meals throughout the day...like a cheese stick, or turkey roll up, later she might eat a few pieces of fruit. Little kids spend so much energy during the day that I think small portions of food througout the day is better for them anyway..isnt' it better for all of us? Look at what she eats over several days or even a week instead of in just one day. It seems that you have already established healthy eating in your home so she will get what she needs. Healthy eating isn't just about what we eat, but HOW we eat as well. Try to keep mealtimes as calm and happy as possible (I know it's hard when you are concerned about her getting enough good food), but when mealtimes are less stressful and emotionally healthy for the whole family, food is seen as a good thing...not bad. Also keep in mind that children have something like 30,000 taste buds compared to adults 3,000! THEY TASTE EVERYTHING thousands more times than we do...that is why most children have a difficult time with veggies and new foods. *On that note, it can take an average of 10 times being introduced to the same new food for a child's palatte to accept it.
As far as food suggestions or helping her sit even for a little while to eat. This is what I have done (and learned through trial and error with my 4 kids). Let her help make her meal. Kids love to help and often if they are involved in the process, they are more likely to eat their creation!
Cut little sandwiches in fun shapes with cookie cutters. Make fruit smoothies with added protien or P.B and banana shakes. Cheese sticks, deli meat roll ups, quesadillas stuffed with chicken, cheese, and spinach cut up in triangles, dip in a dollop of sour cream. Make fun faces out thier food. Get on the floor and have a tea party with her dolls or stuffed animals - (great fun way to reinforce manners...use your best Queen of England accent:) Puppets!!! Puppets can get our wee ones to do almost anything! THey LOVE to talk to puppets.
In the meantime, you are feeding her healthy foods, she will get what she needs. While you are making mealtimes more fun or at least a bit less stressful for you and her, you can encourage good manners, and some rules...such as "When you eat 2 pieces of _____, then you may get down. Let's count and eat 2 pieces together." Or give her a choice that is ok with you. "You can have either a banana or apple slices." If she is wanting some unhealthy food and it's lunchtime. Always always always make eating about being healthy...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Food should never be used as bribes or threats. I'm not saying you do this...it's just a good reminder for everyone.
I hope these suggestions work. Most of it is going to be trial and error, creative parenting, and doing what is best for your child and family. We are constantly going to be faced with challenges or stressful times with our kids...but unless it's a life or death situation, ask yourself..."Do I want to deal with this stressed, or not stressed?" It's all based on our perspective.
Much good energy to you and your family,
A.
mom of 4. Birth and Parenting Mentor
www.birthingfromwithin.com
Good Morning B.,
I also recomennd the Deceptively Delicious cook book! I sneak organic veggies into every meal! My husband can't even tell he's had sweet potatoes and cauliflauer for breakfast! Once you've done all the puree-ing, meal times are fast, quick and delicious!
Also, I know that what I'm about to say is a big no no in some eyes, but we do it anyway, because it works for us. When our son doesn't want to eat, we find that sometimes, it's because he doesn't want to be strapped into his high chair at the table. So we move his high chair into the living room and let him watch a movie. He will finally settle down and eat up all his food without fussing. Or sometimes, we allow him to bring a small toy to the table with him. Also, we've done dinner walks where we take chicken and veggies to go. His stoller has little cup holders that are large enough for us to put his food in so he eats while we walk. Sometimes, he just needs a break from the high chair at the table, it's so formal...and while we are training him to eat at the table with us, we think it's okay to allow him a little bit of freedom. ...Just have to remember that these are things we do only on occasion.
Good Luck!
There are two great books with lots of recipes. "Super Baby Food" is one, the other is La Leche League's "Whole Foods For the Whole Family". Have fun with either of them!
Worry less about her not eating "enough" in your opinion - kids will eat when they are hungry and adults should learn not to force feed as it leads to obesity and other eating disorders. If you are concerned that she isn't getting the right nutrition you can look into some all-natural herbal supplements that supply the body with all the appropriate compounds it needs. I can give you more info on what I recommend along those lines if you are interested. I also have some recipes for easy quick fruit/veggie breads that I have been sharing - if you would like them just give me your email address and I will send them to you. Good luck.
You would love the book, "Deceptively Delicious!" at Amazon.com Here is the link to it, and other books like it:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Da...
Best,
C.
I too have the same problem with my 2 1/2 year old. I use Sneakychef.com. My favorite is the carrot & sweet potato puree in the mac n cheese! I changed the candy treat to a healthy fruit chew. Last but not least I leave healthy snacks out for him to snack on between playing. Hope this helps?
Hi B. -
You are doing fine. Let you daughter eat when she wants. Her dietary needs are probably changing and if she is in the dormant growing phase, she won't need as much food as when she is growing. Try adding natural nutrients, like Spirulina, to her diet. Spirulina is the most nutrition complex food on the plant - high in vitamins, minerals and protein. You can get it at Whole Foods, Sprouts or a reputable herb store. I would look for the granulated kind and just sprinkle it in some applesauce - unless she will eat it as is. It has a fishy odor, because it is a blue-green algae, but not a fishy taste.
Good luck,
M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Clinical Herbalist
