I thought I was a pretty lucky parent in the sense that my daughter was a pretty good well balanced eater. Well, like everything else all good things must come to an end. She has no interest in meat anymore, and maybe I can get her to eat a few veggies. Fruit is no problem in fact apples seem to be the staple food. I have tried soy products like grilled tofu from Whole Foods, and Morning Star corn dogs. She might take a bite or two and then tells me she's all done. I don't want to become a short order cook and continue to make her things until she eats. Any suggestions? She will eat peanut butter but doesn't love it so much that she can't refuse it. Also, am I worrying for nothing? I don't want to force her to eat but it's getting frustrating and worrisome all at the same time.
My kids went through the same thing I wouldn't make special meals then she'll think it ok. I give my kids the same as everyone else sometimes they eat and sometimes they don't. Just remember she's not going to starve if she misses a meal.
She'll be fine. Kids are experts at taking in whta they need. NEither of my boys are big meat eaters, and neither am I. As long as they are eating healthy for the most part they are fine. I make food, they eat it. I refuse to make different meals and I never have. If they truly don't like it (my oldest won't eat any kind of potato, I know this, so I make potatos only with food he likes, like a veggie or chicken).
Just keep offering healhty foods andl et her choose what to eat, don't be a short order cook, and don't make a big deal out if it. The more you fuss about it, the more she'll buck you.
I think the most important thing to remember is to keep offering her what the family eats at every meal. I have always been concerned about my sons diet because it seems like one week all he wants is meat and the next won't touch it. He has had stints like this with every food group. He current food he won't eat is fruit which blows my mind because that has always been his favorite. When I have asked my pediatrician about it her advice has been to continue offering all the food groups but don't worry too much. At this age their bodies are very good at knowing what they need. If you are worried she is not getting enough protien offer alternate sources such as cheese, yogurt, etc. Try not to let it bother you too much, I'm sure she will come around.
J.,
I have two daughters, 17 months and almost 3. Neither child is a large protein eater either. My Doctor told me not to worry to much about it as their portions are so much smaller then ours that a couple of bites is better then none. I do suggest, as the other writers, to keep feeding you child what ever you are eating so they do not get used to different meals. Some days my children eat seconds, the next they might not eat at all. They know when they are hungry, growing, etc. All parents have the same worries (so I have been told) and unless your child is not growing or having problems there should be now concerns. To be save I would mention this issue at your childs 2 year well child check. Good Luck
my 3yr old son just finished this lovely stage. He wouldn't eat anything but fruit(including mcdonalds). 1st we try hiding meat in things like spagetti with ground turkey in the sauce, pizza with hamburger on it, burritoes , went over well. 2nd he dr. suggested letting him dip his meat in powdered lemonaid (small kids aparently like sour)worked ok (he likes ketcup)the 3rd thing that worked really well is we said take a bite get a bite of fruit(grapes worked the best)at lunch he loved sandwiches he'd pull the meat out and eat the bread only so i tried strawberry cream cheese and peanut butter he liked it or peanut butter with bananas.
he's dr. told us the give him a multi vitamin follow the label
the whole battle took about a year but i refused to cater to him. his dr. said if he's hungry he will eat he woke up in the night alot of the time with a hungry tummy but he ate breakfast the next day (even eggs with ketcup)we felt bad about it the next day so we started the 3 bite rule if he took 3 good bites and still didn't like it he'd get a peanut butter sandwich
i relize this is a big mess of ideas sorry i hope some of it helped good luck
Your daughter may be going through a phase, or she may be selecting vegetarianism early. This is not a bad thing! I do completely understand the frustration of refusing foods! So, here are a few suggestions:
Does she eat eggs? Fish?
As for meat-replacement, my favorite brand is Quorn - makes really good chicken-like products. Seitan is also a really easy and tasty meat-substitute, and easier to prepare than tofu. you can probably find suggestions for cooking tofu online. easiest way is to make scrambler - much like making scrambled eggs or an omlette - highly recommend buying the refrigerated brands of tofu, rather than asceptic.
Beans. The key to vegetarianism. And who doesn't like refried beans? Hummus - a mediteranian dip/spread made from garbanzo beans and tahini (basicly sesame puree) - is great on bread, raw vegetables (ie carrots, celery, etc.)
You can add seeds like sunflower, sesame, flax directly to foods, or ground in sauces or bakery - we love banana-flax bread, and I add walnuts to mine. So easy to make!!
Also, try other nut-butters like almond, cashew, macadamia for variety.
Good luck!
Ray
Have you tried legumes? They are an excellent protein choice, and I've had good luck with my kids eating them. Chick peas and black beans seem to be the most popular choices at our home. I'd avoid any highly processed soy foods, like the morning star foods, soy really isn't healthy once it's processed like that.
I f you try legumes and she doesn't eat those either, I wouldn't worry. My kids all go through phases of what they'll eat and what they won't eat....it passes over time.
As long as she get's a few bites in a day she should be fine.Will she eat trail mix with lots of peanuts in there? Maybe make her a smoothie and sneak in some protein.
My son's beena picky eater since day 1, so I've come (over 3 years) to accept what I can get into him...Here's some of the food solutions at our house:
Yogurt- protein and calcium (he loves it and eats it with almost every meal); can also buy it in tubes, freeze it, and present it as a treat
Red Bell Peppers- I have to peel the skin, but then he'll eat them just like apple slices
Peas- frozen peas just defrosted, i.e. still cool
Beets- But they have to be cut into small squares! : )
String Cheese
And on desperate occasions, I buy babyfood beef or turkey (and sometimes spinach, too)and hide it in spaghetti sauce. As long as I'm not overly ambitious about the quantity I can conceal in marinara, he eats it happily. A warning, though: To much and not only does he not eat the spaghetti sauce that night, he turns his nose to it for several more meals, as it makes him suspicious of the sauce itself.
Good luck!! For what it's worth, the anti-protein kick, from what I've seen in my own child and in children around us, seems to come and go. Not fast enough for the family nutrionist, but fast enough that it doesn't seem to do the kids any harm...
M.
Have you tried eggs? Our 18month old was the same way. He loves scrambled eggs and occasionally a poached or sunny side up. Good sourse of protien and not going to break the bank!
Have a great day.
J.,
It is totally normal. I went through it with my kids and my friend have too. I would suggest that you don't push the issue. Have the items available to the child. If possible, set it out like a snack at dinner so she can grab it when she wants it or serve it (if possible) with a toothpick. Anything is better on a toothpick to a kid. Good luck. It will pass someday.
My 21 month old son is the same way. He would eat just about anything. In my case he stopped eating meat just after a year old. He will still eats a few bites here and there but mostly its just pasta, fruits and some veggies. I have talked to his pediatrician thinking that might be causing him not to gain weight, but the dr. didn't seem to think it was too serious yet. My son is 33in. and weighs only 21.4 lbs. My dr. is giving him till his 2nd birthday to be closer to the weight he should be. Anyway, right now I offer him what we as a family are eating and he does eat some. Good luck.
M. Kasper
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