Getting Real Food into My 5 Year Olds

M.,

If you don't buy the stuff you don't want them to eat, you won't have a problem. They won't starve themselves, and they haven't access right now to other forms of food (except school, and you can keep tabs on that.)

Make stuff interesting, too, like grilled cheese triangles, circles and other shapes. Build tofu towers then knock 'em down and eat them.

If they won't eat meat, season it a little bit. Put it in other things (goulash, stroganoff,pasta, etc).

Good Luck!
M.

Oh M., having twins, on top of that, have picky eater twins is not a good combination. I have almost 5 year old twins and i remember age 2 and 3 were the worse food-wise for me. My god, i was in mac and cheese and hot dog hell (to this day i can't look at hot dogs). anyway, it was exhausting. Kept cooking healthy stuff and have a battle then give in, and i throw in the towel. I made a decision to change things around. I was going to cook whatever i wanted, healthy, plenty of veggies, meats, anything i thought was good and nutritious. and then i would put it in their plates and give them a time to be finished, and whatever they left, or even if they didn't it anything i wrapped it, put in fridge and walk away. no talking, no talking back. but i made sure they knew no snacks or food except for fruit until the next meal. well, pretty soon they got introduced to monster tummy, and they did not like it. and they made a change. they're still not big eaters but they will eat anything i make. i make mainly eastern european dishes, my kinda food, doesn't look pretty but plenty of vitamins and stuff on their plates. then they have a thing that they just develop a distaste for something. like the current one is squash. no problem, they can choose one thing to NOT like and i won't use it. so we're on no squash diet. and i haven't made squash in months now. i don't care, they get everything else. the deal we have is if you complain about something else on top of squash then not only will i bring squash back but i will still make the 2nd thing they complained about.
to me, it's not about how much they eat, but more about what they eat. i suggest you make a rule about them eating what you make, and then follow through with giving nothing else except fruit or yoghurt until next meal. when i say nothing else i mean no cheese, no nuggets, no chips, nothing except fruit. they need to feel hunger to be able to eat stuff you want them to eat.
even better, make a week of no frozen stuff in the house so when they pitch a fit for something you simply don't have it. don't drive to get it, you just don't have it. it will take a while because they're used to what they eat, so just brace yourself for a few bad days or weeks but things will turn around.
by the way, i did buy that jessica seinfeld book. tried a few things from her, nothing tasted good, and i did not like having to hide veggies. after a few tries i put that book away. kids should eat, and should know what's good for them. maybe if they were 1 and 2 or even 3 i'd try to hide veggies only because maybe the color looks awful or something like that but not older that that.
good luck

Remember young kids dont eat very much, so dont expect them to have huge appetites. Are they healthy and active? If so dont worry about how much they eat. Kids use food as a form of independence, the more you push and fuss the more they will rebel. You seem to have been fussing for a long time, so STOP. Stop buying junk food, no crackers, cookies, etc and give them a vitamin each day. DONT tell them the vitamins are good for them, Make it a treat if they eat their breakfast. Another thing you can do is take them grocery shopping and let them choose a healthy snack. Fresh fruit, raisins, trail mix, applesauce or canned fruit are good choices. Most little kids dont like vegetables either, so V-8 juice is a good substitute.
But again if they are healthy dont worry, and stop begging , bribing and forcing. Put the food in front of them and ignore them. If they eat fine, if not let them leave the table unless its a family meal then they have to sit until you are done, but make it a fun time. Chat with them about their day and about what you did, but dont tell them to eat. Kids will NOT starve themselves.
In 10 years you will wonder where all the food is going and be amazed that you ever worried.

In our house, my 2 year old "eats what we eat". I refuse to make a "special" meal for my child. And it does not seem like you are letting that happen so that is good.

To add more protien, try adding beans. My daughter like chickpeas, navy beans and stuff. I make yellow pea burgers. I also recently found this recipe: http://www.foodmomiac.com/foodmomiac/2007/07/featured-ing... It went over really well. Also, I make turkey burgers. I also have given her chicken broth when we have been really sick or desperate to put something in her tummy.

It seems that anything with pasta, cheese (including parm) and ketchup goes down really well.

Also, she might eat really well at one meal and then fuss at the next. Try not to make it a battle. After a reasonable amount of time, I merely ask if she is "all done". She gets three chances at the end of the meal if she says "no". After each "no" she gets the opportunity to eat more and then after that we clear the table - all done or not. Of course, when we are having trouble, we don't serve her rolls/toast if she is not eating, there are limited carb/sweet snacks before and after meals (i.e. crackers or cookies) and we leave fruit out in a basket on the table. she is generally allowed to graze on fruit as she wishes (assuming it is not 10 minutes before dinner).

Good luck!
~C.

Hi There,
I agree with the others... you are not a short order cook. Eat meals together and they eat what you eat. They will not starve themselves. If you have 3-4 foods at each meal, they should find something they like. For example, if my daughter wants the rice and veggie, but not meat, then she doesn't have to eat the meat. (although, now that she is 3, we have started to implement the "no thank you" bite with new foods/things she is reluctant to try... she has to try one bite, but can say no thank you if she doesn't want any more). Also, she enjoys her "treat" after dinner, but if she hasn't eaten enough of what we ask her to eat, her treat is fruit. If she eats a good dinner, she can pick the treat (within reason). Another thing to try would be to have your boys help prepare the meal. My daughter loves to help me cook, even if it just means pouring the box of pasta into the pot. You can also get a variety of cookie cutters and let them cut sandwiches, whole wheat pancakes, french toast etc. into fun shapes. Also, you can try to find kid friendly, healthy options that they might like. My daughter loves the Annie's brand mac'n'cheese or my home made version which I make with the Barilla Plus Pasta. Also, you can get healthy, organic cereal bars/crackers (Trader Joes has some that are not too expensive). Let them help pick some new foods to try, but remember, you are the parent. Do not feel bad for them when they act upset for not getting the food they want. Kids are smart and know what they can get away with. Good Luck!!

There are a lot of cookbooks on how to "hide" veggies and other healthy things into otherwise junk-type foods. Like yams in pancakes and things like that..I don't know if you have the time, but it might be worth it to check these out?

Hi M., Many moms go through this. One of mine only wanted nuggets and fries for a while. Keep doing your best and always trying to give them something "good" Meat is not so necessary if they get protein from somewhere else. Nuts and beans are a great source. Hang in there and as time goes on their likes will change. Grandma Mary

A few thoughts from what I've learned from my 4 girls.
--Put a little of everything you make on their plate. They don't have to eat it, but it stays on their plate. And stop cooking for their tastes. Cook what you feel is a well-balanced meal.
--Try to have one thing they like at each meal, even if it's just bread and butter. That way, you know they won't starve.
--Stop noticing what they're eating/not eating. Or at least pretend to not notice. If it's not a big deal, they'll be a bit more adventurous.
--Ketchup can do wonders. I can get my kids to try ANYTHING if they have ketchup to dip it in, and if that's what it takes, that's what it takes. They'll eventually like it w/out.
--Every once in a while, you can use that one food they like as a bargaining chip. If they finish their first helping of chicken nuggets and ask for more, say, "Sure, let's just take one bite of broccoli and I'll get you some." Start small, and you can gradually make it larger.
--Remember that it takes MANY tastes for kids to actually start liking new foods. So relax a little, let go, and decide you're not going to care so much anymore. They'll learn.

Good luck!!

The only idea for starters is a book by Jerry Seinfelds wife called deceptively delicious she hides 'good stuff' in almost every thing she bakes or cooks, it takes some effort but at least they ate it. Then maybe you could try a reward with something they really want if he eats .... whatever,, and hopefully he'll stumble on a few things he likes. or he can have a meatball after they try a ____ .. if all else fails there have been studys that kids that are 'raised on chick nuggets,, are no worse off health/success wise than those that ate veggies. Just relax, be happy that he's eating at all, try to a hide a few nutritious things and know that he'll grow out of it... goood luck

I feel a little conflicted myself about this subject! I have an almost 6 and almost 2 year old, and the older one drives me nuts with eating what is served at dinner time. The little one even says "Eat, Kaitlin, eat!" from hearing us say it so many times. My pediatrician says not to fight her on what/how much she eats, and let her eat what she wants. I DO NOT believe in making kids sit at the table until they are done. I myself also do not believe in making them eat what I don't like to eat. So I will not force string beans since I dislike them myself. I always encourage them to try new things, and I always put everything served on their plate. I try the "eat your age" rule but only with veggies I would eat too. My pediatrician also said if they are taking vitamins and getting exercise, don't worry too much. However, my oldest is tall and thin so maybe that's why they say that. I also don't believe in hiding veggies and fruit in anyone's food like Jessica Seinfeld promotes. I feel it is deceitful...unless of course, you tell them after they eat it. Whatever you decide, I hope it works for you. :)

Hi M.,
I hear your frustration!!! My daughter is 5 and a 1/2 and is a very picky eater. It really bugs my husband, although he and I are part of the problem. We have been cooking her different food than we eat her whole life, because 90% of the food we eat is really hot and spicy. Also, he is a vegetarian, so even the non-spicy meals are fairly complex for a little kid. I did tell him this weekend, if he wants to go back to the "Betty Crocker" (meat, starch and 2 veggies) - style meals we grew up with I'd be more supportive of his "eat what we eat or go hungry" ideals.

Anyway, back to you. What my mom did when we were growing up was say "you had to eat your age". As long as we ate 5 (for a 5 year old, 6 at 6yo, etc) peas, green beans, pieces of ham, whatever the offending food item was, we could have dessert later (or a bowl of cereal, or other food option to fill us up). If you didn't eat it, you could sit at your seat at the table until you did, or you might be allowed to get up, but you would not get anything else to eat or drink until you ate them. It did not matter what method we chose to eat them, I swallowed veggies like pills with my milk, my brother even squeezed all the liquid out of his spinach and rolled it up into balls to take it this way, so long as we ate them. (If you allow them to try this with meat, cut up the 5 pieces they need to eat, and then cut those into smaller pieces so they won't choke)

At my grandmother's we got a "no thank you helping" that we were supposed to taste.

My daughter has become a bit of a "drama queen" when it comes to eating, for this I can only blame her pre-school/kindergarten. She gags, cries her eyes out, says she threw up, she behaves this way more at school than at home, but it's awful. She did just refuse to swallow a tiny piece so scalloped potatoes over the weekend, had it not been at my cousins in the midst of a chaotic holiday event, she would have been in far more trouble.

If you find anything that works, I'd love the advice.
A.

Time to get creative! But first of all, do not worry, you are not alone. And as you search for the perfect solution, make sure they are taking a multivitamin.

Some ideas:
V8 fruit juices - I by the low sugar varities. 50 calories per 8 oz, and made with veggies. Peach/mango is a favorite in our house even with my pickiest!

Make your own meatballs and along with the basil chop in some baby spinach. Also add spinach to whatever sauce you use. Just chop it so it looks like basil.

Mashed potatoes are also fun to hide stuff like cauliflower, parsnips, spinach & chives.

Have you tried dips? Kids love to dip things. I buy the portioned ranch dressing cups and serve something raw like carrots, cukes, sugar snap peas, celery etc with dinner. I myself prefer raw veggies because I hate the smell of some things when cooked.

Also try roasting your veggies. Toss your favorite veggies with a little olive oil & salt & pepper and roast in oven for approx. 20 min at a high temp. Roasted veggies taste so so so much better than boiled, or steamed.

And you have to toughen up. They cannot leave the table, have dessert, watch tv or go outside & play until they have eaten 5 carrots or whatever. Stick to your guns! GL!

Dear M.,

As a mom, I am normally not that discipline-minded. I always try to look for the underlying cause behind a behavior before assuming my child is manipulating me. BUT, in this case I'm going to go with the discipline crowd. Don't fall for the sad-faced thing. If your kids can sad-face you into serving them nothing but junk food, they'll wind up having unhealthy eating habits for the rest of their lives. That doesn't mean every meal has to be a showdown, but I would respectfully suggest that you're conceding defeat too soon.

So, definitely check out those hide-the-vegetables books. There's one other out there, that's supposed to be a little better than the Jessica Seinfeld book; sorry I can't remember the name. Also, get them to help you cook! Kids generally have a much healthier attitude toward food if they're involved in preparing it, not just consuming it. If you can (I know this starts ambitious) start a little vegetable garden and have them really work with you. They'll probably like watering it with the hose, if nothing else. Foodie-types swear that kids will eat anything they grow, even kale(!)

But, at the bare, bare minimum, try to design one healthy meal that they will eat -- pasta with organic frozen meatballs and green beans doesn't sound that bad, especially if you can bury some whole-grain pasta under a whole lot of pasta sauce. (For my son, I actually put pasta sauce and tofu together in the blender, since we don't eat much meat.) If that's the only healthy-ish food they'll eat, just cook that every night. When they get tired of that, have them sit down with you and choose another reasonably healthy dish to cook together (you can probably squeeze some vegetables into a lasagna, for example.) Whatever you do, don't let really unhealthy foods like chicken nuggets (sorry!) be an option.

I know this won't be easy, especially with twins, since they tend to reinforce each other's behavior. But don't give up!

All the best,

Mira

P.S. Oh, and if they absolutely won't eat any greens, would they drink "green smoothies"? Orange juice, banana, mango, and spinach in the blender. Tastes like dessert, looks like a St. Patrick's Day parade, and is amazingly good for you (just don't tell them that!) :)

Hi M.,
My daughter was 5 before she would eat any meat that wasn't chicken nuggets or a hot dog. If they like meatballs, can you make your own? You can alternate lean ground beef and turkey. Make your own oven baked chicken nuggets.
I always suggest serving a variety of foods at dinner, have your main dish and a bunch of things on the side - pasta, bread, cheese cubes, a cooked veggie, a raw veggie, a fruit or some olives or nuts. Let them choose what to eat. Do not encourage or wheedle. And stop the begging, pleading and deals - they are playing you. They are making this about what you want. Guess what? If they were really hungry, they'd manage to eat what you serve. They are not babies. Put out at least one thing you know they like, and leave them be. They don't need to eat 16 different vegetables and fruits. They like carrots and green beans? Great! They're eating one green veggie and one yellow/orange. While it might make you (or me) crazy to eat the same thing all the time, if you are worried about their nutrition, the variety isn't important. If they eat one or two things from each food group, you're good. If they aren't getting their protein from meat, that's fine. Meat is not necessary, but you do need to make sure the protein is balanced, so I'd suggest finding yourself a book about vegetarian diet for kids.
Good luck!!!