Child Getting Difficult with Food

I don't blame him for not wanting to eat baby food anymore... My 18 month old daughter is picky about meats from time to time. Initially we had the most success with low sodium deli meats (turkey/chicken breast or roast beef). We used the Table Time or Gerber Toddler meals and she gets pieces of whatever we are having. Sometimes she eats it, sometimes not. The trick is to keep offering it. (She loves steak!) Ravioli with cheese and hot dogs (turkey dogs) are also favorites. Consider other protein sources: cheese, yogurts, beans, etc. (even vegetarian things like veggie chicken nuggets/Morningstar sausages). My ped. was most concerned that she is still drinking whole milk (she is). I found that it is much easier to get her to eat finger food than it was to keep trying to get her to eat baby food. She wants to feed herself! Maybe that's part of the problem? One thing I always try to keep in mind is that food should NEVER be a power struggle situation.
Good luck!

Hi,
I have trouble getting my 18 month old Grace to eat meat but she will eat it certain ways. I make chicken and rice (brown tenderloins, add carrots, celery, onion and chicken broth. Simmer 20 minutes then mix 1tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp. water in cup and add) and cut the chicken up very small and hide it with lots of the rice and carrots. Because there is almost a gravy with this, she loves it. She also like the Boars Head Deli Turkey (Ovengold). She loves Publix rotisserie. If you really want him to eat the meat try to hide smaller pieces in mashed potatoes and rice. That's what works for us. Also, try peanut butter and cheese which will also give him protein.

I make meatballs with either chicken mince or beef mince. I add vegetables, egg, seasoning, breadcrumbs etc. I make a whole lot of small ones and freeze them in packs of 3 or 4. I reheat them in the microwave and cut them up - my 14 month old just loves them!

I make bean and cheese quesadillas. Lots of protein there.

Hardboiled or scrambled eggs.

I shred Sam's chicken and beef, it took a long time to get him to eat it in the first place. He still won't eat baked ham.

I take chicken and cut it in VERY small pieces, then brown it in a saucepan. I then add whatever vegetables we are having and some cooked pasta, toss with a little seasoning and top with grated parmasean cheese, both my kids LOVE it!

Cassaroles and soups are a great way to disguise the ingredients. Also Avacado is another great protein. Peanut Butter, beans, peas, nuts are all good protein. Their are lots of kids cookbooks that have great recipes for picky eaters. Funny faces and "bugs" on your food is different for LO's. Also if your LO makes the food himself, maybe he will be more willing to give it a try. Kids love to help mom in the kitchen and what child wouln't want to get their fingers in some gooey food! It's amazing what we learn when we experiment! good luck to you!

have you tried the Gerber lil entree dinners? those are good with meat and he might eat them. My daughter is 27 months and still eats them from time to time if we are eating something she cant eat.

my babies hate baby food, and I don't blame them, it all tastes terrible to me too!
what i do is take a blender and grind up whatever we're eating and add a little milk or water if necessary, it's a great way to make your own baby food, tastes a LOT better and healthier (fresh) and you can put it in little tupperwares and freeze it as well.
this works especially great with chicken and vegetables!

Hi , B. :0)

Maybe if you prepare whatever meat you're having ... steak , for example ... and take his portion and basically shred it ; make sure it's flavorful , maybe with sauce or gravy.
Thr stuff in the jars isn't as healthy and it tastes like card board.
If he won't eat it at first , just keep offering. Eventually he'll try it. Good luck !
~ A.

Beans are also a good source of protein... surprisingly sometimes they do like beans, my son he is 19 months although he eats everything in site he loves pinto beans and blackeyed beans... give it a try or mix it with somehting he likes like mash potatoes or something