Toddler Won't Eat Meat

I have the same problem with my 14 month old. He loves all veggies, including beets and aspargus(sp?) He will only eat red meat if it is covered in tomato sauce. He was a premie and is still very skinny. My doc told me that he only needs about a tablespoon worth of protein a day. She recommended broccoli, beans, 1 egg a day, cheese. I hope this helps. A.

try stewed meat, and chicken nuggets from MC DONALDS

crazy but my son was the same, until we took him ot Mc D
he played and played and i said the next time you need to eat first,
(he was really hungry)

and he tasted them and ate them because he wanted to play so badly. and after that he would easily eat chicken nuggests from Mc Donalds, but ONLY that

then i get it to go and eat at home

then i made some at home, and then i made cutlets,
and then I would just call everything CHICKEN and add ketchup

ect..

its a process, but it worked for me.

M

J.,
I wouldn't be too concerned, kids go through phases constantly, but if you would feel better knowing that he was getting more protein, check out a book at the library for vegetarians, I had to do this for my daughter when she went through her vegetarian phase and I had no idea what to feed her. Good Luck.
D.

Hi,

I am a first time mom of a 15 month old boy. I don't have this specific problem with my son--but my friend had this issue with her daughter when she was around 2. She consulted her doctor and was basically told that as long as she ate other forms of foods that contained protein (peanut butter, cheese, yogurt)it would be OK and that she'd outgrow the not eating meat phase. She did outgrow the issue and now happily eats meat without any problems....but it did take awhile though....

I havge always had the same concern with my daughter who is now 30 months. I have been assured by her doctor and othrs that she is fine. She does not like meat besides fish sticks, chicken nuggets, or some ground beef hidden in things. But she eats plenty of fruits, veggies, eggs, cheese, peanut butter, ect to make up for the lack of meat intake. Try taco dip or goulash, that's the only way to get my daughter to eat ground beef.

Little boys are usually active with a very high metabolism, this is probably why he is skinny, not because he is underfed. He is definitely fine! And....two out of three good meals a day is great for his age!

My girls won't eat meat if it's "plain". They will eat meatballs with their spagetti, hot dogs (I buy the boars head 100% beef skinless) cold cuts (on a sandwich, balogna or turkey), and chicken nuggets (i get the tyson brand 100% breast meat trans fat free). They also get protein from milk, yogurt and cheese. I hope that they'll get better with the intake of regular meats but for now i make sure to give them one they'll eat for the time being.

Good luck!

I really wouldn't worry. My peditrican has said if you can get one good meal in your kid a day, you're ahead of the game.
There are things out there like pedisure that are meal supplements but I would talk to your doctor first. From what I have seen in my own children ( I have a 8,7,6,4,and 1yr old) they seem to eat great until about 1 and 1/2 and then recover around 5 or 6. Just keep offering it to him(the meat) and eventually he will start to eat it and one day a couple of years down the road he will shock you when he asks for more. My kids who eat the most are skin and bones, my kids who pick are thicker(not heavy)...it amazes me but it's true everyone is different...I have 3 who live for breakfast and 2 for dinner...best of luck!

Check with your pediatrician. If your son is growing on his rightful curve, his intake of protein should not matter....but if it stil concerns you, continue to hide it. Puree the meat down and mix it into his yogurt. Make him a fruit smoothie with a tsp. of already cooked pureed meat in there. In his breakfast, cut down some already cooked chicken into tiny pieces and mix it into his egg, omelet style. Sneak it in there and he won't notice. good Luck!

J.,
I have the same problem with my 23 month old son with his eating habits. We were shocked that he ate the lasagna on Easter when it had chop meat in it. He will pick out the meat if you give it to him in his plate. My son also eats like a champ for breakfast which will be a banana, milk and mini waffles. Snack he will have a apple and daminals drinkable yogurt. Dinner he will eat Mac & Cheese with a veggie.
The last few weeks he has wanted to eat want me and my husband are eating so he has been trying different things. He actually tried afew pieces of ham with applesauce. He also is a child that will not eat chicken nuggets, fish sticks. My son is coming around alittle with the eating lately.
About your son's weight and not getting enough I would not worry. I just want to post to let you know that you are not alone!!!

Probably just his personality coming out! I'm sure he gets plenty of protein from yogurt, milk, cheese, beans, bananas, etc. You could try smoothies...with banana & yogurt & Pediasure, kids usually like the taste. In the meantime, sounds like you're doing a good job of "hiding" his meat!
E.

My son is 20 months and I have the same problem with him! So I checked with my peditrician and he suggested I give him "My first flinstones" they are flintsone vitamins for his age he loves them and that way he is getting his vitamins and he also suggested giving him more beans, peanut butter, and eggs!:)

Hi J.. I hope I can help you with the protein advice. My family is vegetarian including my 3 year old son. I give him a slice of tofu everyday to give him his protein. We also prepare a variety of beans (3-4 times a week). He's 35lbs and 38 inches and very strong (just turned 3 on March 30). I'm sure part of this is genetic but if your son refuses to eat meat try to seek other protien sources. I hope this helps.

HI J., not to worry about your sons eating habits. As long as he's eating fruits & vegies he will be fine. He gets tons of protein in peanut butter,my daughter when she was little wouldn't eat fruit or vegies, she would only eat meat. So I would make soup mush up the vegies & load it up with crackers so she couldn't tell what she was eating, she loved it & got lots of vegies. If you are still worried ask you doctor as to what other foods have protein, eggs do. And boy do you have your hands full, good luck. N.

Peanut butter is a good source of protein for kids. Maybe you could ask your doctor or a nutritionist for some suggestions on alternative foods that he could try to get the vitamins and protein that he might need from meat.