Ok, I absolutely CANNOT get my 2 yr old to eat anything if it is not sugar! I mean I have tried it all. . . I did have success with funny named food and creative/fun foods (ex- smiley faces, snack trays, ect. .) but still can't seem to find anything she will eat at breakfast- she begs for juice but refuses to eat- The rule for me is no drink until you start to eat, (so I don't give in and let her fill up with juice)- anyhow, I've been thinking about letting her have Carnation Instant Breakfast- I had a friend who did this with her child after the same battle, and I've been thinking. I guess I'm just worried, is this my "Lazy" way out? Or is it ok- I'm getting something in her belly to start the day? Seems to me that if she'll drink her breakfast. . then why not? But then, really how healthy can a pkg of powder mix be? What are your thoughts? I know this is soooo trivial in respect to actual problems, just wanted some feedback- Thanks in advance!
Thanks ladies!! Great ideas, I had tried smoothies in the past, but we had cup issues! 2yr old = sippy cup! So, I had somewhat given up on that idea, but after seeing the suggestions I realized I should just go buy some different cups for the smoothie! And I hadn't even thought about pedia-sure. . . how could I forget that was an option?!? Glad to see I can shed the mom guilt on this one, thanks again for all the great suggestions!
It's certainly better than nothing.
Shaklee's meal shakes are formulated for children. My sons never liked to eat much breakfast and thrived on those.
I wish I had know about smoothies then. I would have put the meal shakes in a smoothie rather than milk.
We are another one to do ovaltine in the morning, we call it hot cocoa and that is what they crave, pretty much like me and my coffee. before that is all they would drink in the morning as they were never hungry so at least they were getting some vitamins now as they get older they are wanting both
What about a smoothie? Frozen fruit, milk, little bit of OJ, and can also add yogurt and banana.
Actually, that's what both of my kids have for breakfast during the week. My oldest is in kindergarten and does not really like breakfast until he's been awake a couple of hours (not interested in getting him up at 5 am!). My youngest is 2 1/2 and goes to daycare. They do a breakfast snack around 9:00 am, but he gets dropped off at 7:15. I don't want him to be hungry that long.
Another thing you could consider is just waiting her out (if you are a SAHM, that is). I did that as well, though that could be why my 5 year old doesn't like to eat right away.
I also drank this for breakfast when I was pregnant. I was one of the lucky ones with morning sickness for the whole pregnancy, so this was one of the few ways I could "eat" breakfast.
I know it feels like you'd be cheating, but it is 8 oz of milk! I say, do what works and relax. She'll probably grow out of it :-)
We give our sons a whole food supplement in their morning milk. Its called amazing grass kidz superfood in the chocolate flavor. It has soooooo much good stuff in it! I am a grasshead member so I get regular shipments with free shipping and 20% off. But just to try it, you can order it on vitacost.com or other similar websites. Its made from whole food sources (not synthetic vitamins) and is packed with lots of whole source fruits/vegis and has probiotics ect. I also drink the green superfood supplement myself in chocolate almond milk or a smoothie. The company will send you samples too and are wonderful to talk to if you have questions. Also, as an added bonus they are a USA company, grown and harvesting (alot of ingredients organically) in the USA! www.amazinggrass.com
And no, I do not sell for them, or know anyone who works for or with them. I just genuinely love their product and it has made me feel confident that my sons are getting the nutritional boost they need in the morning (and throughout the day too). Especially gives me piece of mind with my super picky (gags and more on vegis/meat/sauces) eating 4 yr old. Otherwise he would somehow be surviving on noodles and butter (and a few other low nutrition items he eats). ;) Its been a frustrating battle so I completely understand how it must make you feel! Good luck!
Have you tried Pedia Sure? I think that might be better for a 2 year old. My 8 year old sister is a picky eater and has a Carnation Instant Breakfast almost every morning, she has for a few years now. My husband and I also drink them. But I'm not sure they would be sufficient enough for a 2 year old. I think Pedia Sure is geared more toward a toddlers nutritional needs and the Instant Breakfast are geared more for adults.
Have you talked to her Pediatrician about this?
Make her a smoothie. get fresh or frozen fruits and yogurt ice if the fruit is fresh and 100% juice and get different powderes (vitamen and protien) and make her a smoothie and put some fresh baby spinich in there and it will b a good breakfast
I mixed in Carnation Instant breakfast packets when my son turned 1 year old and wouldn't drink milk. He hates the taste of milk (and so do I) to this day. And we still mix some in now that he is 5. It has sugar- yes, but also has protein and vitamins. Better than nothing! Hope this helps.
She may just not be hungry in the morning...I'm not usually either and wasn't as a kid. I'd give my dd carnation (I drink it a lot). It has a lot of protein and calcium...I'm not too familiar with ovaltine to speak on that. You're not being lazy. You're finding something to get some nutrition in your daughter before she starts her day. It may not be the healthiest of all options, but it is better than nothing or just juice. You can monitor what else she eats throughout the day to ensure she's not getting too much sugar.
I don't have any suggestions, but I want to thank the moms who mentioned Ovaltine. It brought back great memories of when my boys were young.
("If it's in a round jar shouldn't it be called Round-tine?" - Jerry Seinfeld)
the carnation stuff is just sugar dont give it to her. i know that your 2 year old doesnt make the money doesnt buy the food and doesnt cook it soooo the only way shes getting it is from you. dont buy it it wont be in the house she cant eat it. easy as that
We do the instant breakfast on occasion, but mostly do 'yogurt smoothies' - (the easy,non blender kind) - spoon regular smooth strawberry yogurt into the sippy cup and mix in enough milk so it's thin enough to go through the spout. It's sweet, they love it, but it's filling too.
My 2 year old will drink milk first thing. Maybe offer water or milk with breakfast and juice later would help. Maybe the smoothie idea would work--you could add extra powdered milk in there to boost the protein if you want.
I would go with pediasure vanilla or chocolate.. my kids were not fans of the strawberry, banana, or berry flavors.. my son used to have reflux really bad and in turn had sensory issues to foods etc and the gastroenterologist wanted him to have 3 a day.... i never gave him more than 1 a day or mixed it 1/2 and 1/2 with milk.. 3 years later golden! but when my kids get sick or we are rushed i will give them pediasure still. I think carnation is for older kids/adults.. you could put some carnation blended into a smoothie like previously mentioned maybe with milk and a banana?? GL
My son loved Ovaltine, which I think has more vitamins in it. It was a great alternative to chocolate milk. Good luck!
A.,
Have you considered Ovaltine? My son loved it as a toddler. I would warm up his milk and add a single spoonful. It's packed full of vitamins and minerals and is way better tasting than any other chocolate drink mix. The key is to start with just a little because it, too, has sugar.
I believe there are children's drinks out there like Ensure for older adults. You may want to try that as well. I think it's Pediasure.
Good luck!
