My son is 2 and a half and a very picky eater. I don't know how to get him to eat well. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him to eat different foods? Perhaps someone can recommend a good book? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
My son is now almost 5 and still continues to be a picky eater! He joined AYSO, and now does a little more exercise and has a better appetite, but he sort of just eats more of the same. We held him back from kinder because he he has a late birthday, but also because he has poor eating habits. I also noticed that he has difficulty paying attention to things sometimes. I really don't know what to do still.
Hi C., Southern Living At HOME has some great cookbooks. Busy Moms Weeknight Meals is full of healthy recipes that kids like. Email me and I will send you out a catalog, or go to the website. www.southernlivingathome.com/danacarey
hope this helps.
Hi C.! I just saw all the responses suggesting Jessica Seinfeld's book. This is *NOT* something I would recommend. I work with an inspirational mom and celebrity chef Domenica Catelli that wrote a fantastic cookbook called "Mom-a-licious"--in here, she values not lying to your children or sneaking food into recipes, but modeling good vegetable eating and engaging them at the grocery store and in cooking. Momalicious has an intro from Dr. Alan Greene who is an expert on pediatric taste bud research. His research shows that it takes up to 10 times of introducing a child to new flavors to get their taste buds used to it--well, as a mom of two, I know there is no way I'm going to have the patience to try something 10 times! Domenica's recipes have only been taking 2 or 3 times to be popular with kids--this I can handle! Her Brussels sprouts recipe is a favorite in my house with my two boys (at the time I tried this they were 5 and 10yrs old)--my youngest literally asks for Brussels sprouts for breakfast! The first time it was kind of new and different and he just took one bite--but the second time he ate half a plate and was sold since then! So, I guess the bottom line, is to plan on trying more than twice and just have patience. Domenica also suggests to engage your son in the grocery store and pick out a color --'orange' vegetables today or 'yellow'--and find a great recipe you can engage him in (even pulling the tops of carrots off at his age)--then let him know you are having this for lunch or dinner and he is going to help you make it. Check out www.bemomalicious.com. Thanks and Good Luck! C.
I have a 2 year old and I have found that example works best. He always wants a bite of what Mommy and Daddy are eating. He didn't used to eat apples or oranges but the more I ate them the more he became interested in them and now he eats them very well. He actually cries for grape tomatoes in the grocery store. So the more variety in what you eat- the more variety for him too. He may not like it all at first. My son still won't try broccoli. Hopefully one day he will. I don't push it but he is exposed to it because I am eating it and I offer it to him.
Hi C.-
My 12 year old was and still is extremely picky. I know it sounds gross and discusting but what we did was make her fruit smoothies, but put spinich and broccoli, flax seed and other stuff like that in it. We added slowly to see if she would like it, and she did! We made that for breakfast and then I didn't really worry about her eating from then on because She ate so well for breakfast.
Surrender Dorothy! Children's taste buds develope at their own rate and as they do they become more adventuresome. As my kids doctor said, healthy children don't starve themselves, so stop worrying. Word to the wise, make sure you do not turn food into a control issue. There's a lifetime of pain coming out of that.
Hi fellow C. , LOL!
Well, I have tried some of the recipes from deceptively delicous and they work! The mac-n-cheese is great and even tried the desserts with beets and spinach in them! GREAT!!! Don't worry his taste buds will open.. My son is almost 3 and he started out not liking green beans, but when I chopped them and mixed them into spaghetti sauce, he didn't even notice! Just be creative and let them have fun in the kitchen too! Best wishes to you!
C. ~
Jessica Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld's wife has a cookbook out for this situation. She was on Oprah and here is the link.
http://www.deceptivelydelicious.com/site/
I have not tried the recipes, but the book is a bestseller. Good luck.
You can only present the foods to them and tell them to eat it.
If they don't want to eat it then tell them /one of two things. They will sit there and eat their food or they will eat it for their next meal.( thats how my parents did it)or
say thats fine , but you will get nothing else to eat until your next meal.Now, you have to stick to your guns on this one.Also make sure the foods you are presenting him are healthy and good for him,like his vegetables, fresh fruit etc. Sometimes kids don't want to experiment.BUt you have to force them too. Also as long as they are eating some good food , you can slowly introduce new foods. He is just 2 , but it can get worse.
Try to stay out of the fast food places as much as possible.
McDonalds..so called healthy meals are NOT healthy.
IT will be fine. Its the terrible two's you know.
I have a book called "Super Baby Food" that is about making your own baby food for your infants- from 4 months old and up. It has a section for toddlers that has recipes for picky eaters and how to make healthy foods into fun shapes, etc. I definitely recommend this book!
I had this same problem with my son. Ghe doctor suggested feeding him the foods he enjoys most. Introduce new foods slowly, but continue to feed him what he likes. He will outgrow it. My son did. He's 16 now, tall, handsome, and plays football and runs track. Its normal.
My son was a picky eater and so was I but he was far worse. Sadly at 12, he's not any better but over the years I've learned the shock factor worked in getting him to try some new things. When we were camping when he was about 5, I was making Tomato Soup and I had a lightbulb moment. I asked him if he wanted some "blood soup". He didn't even flinch, just said yes and has loved it ever since (at one point I worried and asked "you know it's not blood right" and he said of course, it's tomato soup... :)
He still eats it to this day and also loves V-8 (thank goodness!!) He didn't start out this way, he'd eat beets, squash etc when he was very little, it was around age 2 he started his food rebellion.
I never forced him when he was little to taste things as much and I wish I had. They now have some great guidelines for introducing new foods and I've considered those now with my daughter.
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-get-children-to-try-new-foods
I've been giving her tastes of everything and I always try, try, try again. Some things I have to "force taste" on her like forcing a small amount onto her lips. Some things she instantly spits out but others she stops and realizes "hmmmm this is good and then asks for more". With her, at 20 months (and younger) if she could hold it, she is more likely to try it herself. As a result she loves olives (both me and my son hate them) loves avocados (I love them, my son hates them-ok, my son hates most everything...) loves artichokes. Some veggies she needs to dip to try for a while so try mayonnaise, homemade ranch, etc. She doesn't like mushrooms by themselves but dipped in ranch she'll eat them and homemade mushroom soup, she loves.
Our biggest challenge with her is meats (which is actually okay by me) so bbq sauce, ranch, ketchup etc is often employed just to get her to eat a few bites of it. Try to offer him as many fruits and vegetables as you can (even those you yourself don't like) and if he won't take it the first time, keep trying.
This is the age where they get picky it's more for them feel like they have the power of choice.
I put everything on their plate allow them to fill up on their favorite and make them try everything else. It's a constant battle, but now my girl is almost three and it's getting a lot better. Don't make him something different from the family or you'll still be doing it years from now. My girl loves to have an evening snack. If she eats good she gets it, if not she doesn't. Stick to your guns on what ever you decide. A good cook book is Deceptivly Delicious by Jessica Sienfeld. She puts veggie purries into every dish. For now at least you know they're getting it.
T.
this website might help
Stop making his favorite foods! My kids used to only eat kid food because that is what I fed them. Then I started making regular adult food. It took a bit of getting used to but now they are fairly adventurous and will eat almost anything and anywhere.
C.,
My daughter just turned 2 and has turned into the picky eater after a pretty good run... I wouldn't spend the money on the Jessica Seinfeld book. You can get a few of her recipes on-line as well as at www.sneakychef.com. That is the woman who claims that Jessica stole all of her ideas. After that, if some of them work, then buy it!
Good luck!
K.
Hi C.,
Some kids are pickier than others and that's just the way they are. You can disguise the food with something he likes, like letting him dip green beans in catsup or something. If he likes cheese, that can be melted on a lot of things. Sometimes you can make food cute or funny. Just offer him good choices and let him eat what he wants of them. Don't make it a struggle because you don't want him growing up with some kind of eating disorder. Let him be in control with you just giving good options.
V.
Make food fun! Take cookie cutters & cut his chicken into shapes. Do the same thing with sandwiches & fruit. Call his green beans lizard tails. We had the same problem with my niece. With some imagination, she eats like a champ!
My son was the same way..."Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron (sp??) and "Deceptively Delicious" has helped me immensely. I started pureeing food I wanted him to eat and mixing with things I knew he would eat (pasta and marinara sauce mixed with brocolli and cauliflower OR mashed pototatoes pureed with grilled chicken), etc. I then realized for my lil guy, it was a texture thing...so, when I pureed stuff he would actually eat it (too bad I didn't realize this until he was 15 months old). So, I started doing this to expose him to new flavors and then including finger foods I knew he would eat, to help develop his feeding skills. Now, he will just about eat anything and I don't really have to puree that much stuff (he is 21 months old). It has been a HUGE battle...so, I definitely feel your pain!
I work full-time and was concerned I wouldn't have the time to put these meals together...but these 2 books give great advice on quick solutions.
NOTE: I first tried literally HUNDREDS of times (I do NOT give up easily) to get him to eat veggies, etc. without pureeing it...and my son just is more stubborn that I am. So, although I do agree with some comments that you should expose your children to the real thing right away to help get them to learn healthy eating habbits...this does NOT apply to ALL children. When it boils down to it, if they won't eat it...they're NOT getting the nutrition they need. Most toddlers are picky to some degree in their eating...however, there are some EXTREME cases(my son - we started him on solids when he was 4 months old and were diligent in exposing him to all sorts of healthy foods following our pediatrician's, etc. recommendation) and NOTHING worked until I started pureeing them. At his 18 month checkup, my Doctor was concerned he was not gaining enough weight so I needed to come up with something and this has thankfully worked for us! He is now gaining weight like he should be and I am SUPER relieved :).
So, I hope this helps!!! Good Luck!
I have one picky eater and 2 good ones--go figure. Dr. Sears has some good suggestions--I think his website is Dr. Sears.com
One idea is to let him munch on a cupcake tin full of little goodies. Try a variety and let him fill the tins. They need ot eat often. I found my daughter liked crackers, and she loved dips, so I would put peanut butter or yogurt in a cup and let her do it herself. I also would eat out of the tin because they do as we do.
I also realized this is a control thing for kids, so I give her choices. like she can have the this or the that and let her decide.
I also give all my kids Juice Plus gummies--real whole foods, not vitamins. Dr. Sears also believes in it.
The web is Karen4betterhealth.com
Thanks!
K.
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This is a VERY common problem. When my DS went thru this 2 years ago, his DC gave me the best advice: it's our jobs to present them w/ healthy food, it's their option to eat or not, if you keep switching foods at meal time, or feed them something different than the family, then you'll be forced into the roll of a short-order cook, and they'll force you to continue in this roll as they get older!
Keep in mind thier stomachs are about the size of their fists and we usually give them more food than they really need. Seems like my 14 mo. DD ends up w/ more food on the floor and in her highchair than in her, but she's gained 3 lbs in the last 3 months, so I guess she's eating well!! But damn if it doesn't seem like she's a picky eater. I never know what will appeal to her. It seems like she will eat one good meal a day, and I've read that's all they really need.
There are several good cookbooks out there w/ suggestions on how to sneek foods into thier favs (like adding pureed carrotts to mac-n-cheese).
Kids often get on various food kicks, favoring one food or another for several days on end, which is ok, the experts say to look at what they are eating over a course of a week or so.
If you LO is gaining weight, peeing and pooing regularly then they are getting enough.
I've learned there are 3 things you can not make a child do: eat, sleep or use the potty, these are prime areas for battles!
The Dr. Sears website is: www.askdrsears.com
Hi C. ~ Check out Rachel Ray on the food network. She has a lot of really good, easy recipes that kids will love. She also has her own morning program and does a lot with kids in the kitchen. Also just keep trying. Don't give up. What I did with my girls was told them when I made something for the first time they had to take 3 bites. If they didn't like it, they didn't have to finish it. But they did have to try it. My youngest (18) will eat anything. She even likes food that I would never think of trying. My oldest is closed minded and very picky at 21. Sometimes, it's just the personality, but they should all try. Good luck
I know exactly what your dealing with it gets so annoying being a resturant now try this now this, now this. I have waisted a ton get creative or sneaky so the atleast they get the neutriants. Given that I let my 9yr old "pick and choose" what he wanted well I have to sneak foods into his food now with a food processor, LOL. My 22 month old will try anything a bite or two then "done". My nephew who's 19 months old will only eat noodles, chips and eggs. Won't touch it on a spoon or fork but with his fingers. You need to get sneaky and creative sometimes. So you won't end up with a 9 yr old like mine!!! Kid's cook books and neat little ideas "faces, cars, planes" might be more tempting for him to eat it or maybe if he helps you prepare it?
Hello, C.,
I have a wonderful book with fantastic, living food recipes called, "88 Recipes That Heal". I would be happy to send this to you.
Also, as a nutrition coach and advocate, I work with a group of very special foods that regenerate the body. My daughter loves these foods to this day! Her palate is quite amazing, as well. Let me know if I can help with these foods as well.
My very best,
T.
C.,
I found myself giving my daughter, 2.5 also, the same things over and over again because I knew she liked them and they were easy...(mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, grilled cheese...all the healthy stuff, Ha Ha). I wouldn't really call her "picky", but rather me "lazy"! It took me a while to realize that "I" was the one in charge of what she ate. What's works for us...eating together as a family (though, not always possible) and she eats what we eat. We found that she is curious when we are cooking and wants the same foods we are eating. She may not always like it, but she for sure tries it. Have your son involved in the preparation/cooking...my daughter gets the cereal out or shakes the salad dressing and loves it!
Hope this helps...All the best,
S.
have u tried making yourself a plate of food and sitting on the couch ..watch tv and pretend it's all for you..and when your son becomes interested say "mine" it will make him more interested..my son is a really good eater..he loves to be a theif..so if he's having a day where he won't eat much i do the couch trick..
i don't give him a lot of snacks..if he has snacks his meals suffer..and i don't have him drink a lot before eating.
also he loves food w/ sauces on them ..especially ketchup..
today i told him yogurt was ice cream and he ate the whole thing..
be creative..fly food in like an airplane on the spoon..play games..make it fun* good luck!
Hi C.,
My son is doing the same thing! He is not quite 2 yet. We aren't 100% successful yet, but one thing that does work sometimes is to offer him a variety of items... even if I know he does't prefer any of the items, he'll usually eat his "least worst" option. Haha, I hope that makes sense.
If I offer him green beans, baked beans, chicken, or rice... he'll at least eat one of them. So just make all the options healthy so no matter which one he picks, it is a good choice. (I try and only offer what we're eating too... I don't like making him special dinners.)
You don't have to buy the deceptively delicious book or anyting like it just go borrow it form the library. I actually just picked it up from the library yesterday!
My rule is you must try everything on your plate with at least one bite. The things you have trouble with him eating serve more often so he gets use to the taste and will start eating. If at 2 1/2 you can not get him to try one bite then it is more a control and behavior issue then an eating issue. There will always be one or two items that make them gag because they really do not like it. So give him his choice of which it is and stick to it. My kids ask for extra helpings of the things they use to hate and give everything a try as they get older. Good luck
my son is 5 years old and still picky im not sure what to do with him either. i have tryed everything with him hope you dont have this promblem well good luck
Hi C., what ever i wanted my kids to eat that they didn't like, I mixed it in mashed potatoes, it worked every time. J.
Hi C.,
Sometimes I found just cutting the food in different shapes worked. It's not much, but may help a little:)
The "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook is GREAT! Our daughter is still a pretty great eater but we've seen our frineds' children,who won't touch a vegetable with a 10 foot pole, eat dinners with spinich, squash, beets, you name it, in them. And it tasted pretty good, too! I like the Mac and Cheese. the Personal Pizzas and the Brownies the best in this cookbook. Check it out and just try it. I think you and you're 2 year old will be happily surprised!
