What Do Your Kids Eat?

Hey, you're doing great! Sounds like he's eating quite a bit of great stuff. My daughter's 16 months and the same way. She's got her opinions about things... but the good news is they can be changed!! Just keep offering him stuff. As a meat/protien substitute for my daughter (she used to love chicken and chicken sausage then all of a sudden changed her mind) I offer her cheese and eggs. Almost every day for a meal she'll eat an omelet - eggs scrambled with some kind of veggie that she likes or maybe one I wanna slip in and get her to try. She eats SPINACH in her eggs all the time now! I'll slip in protien also by melting a little cheese on veggies. Also try grilled cheese, you could even slip a little slice of ham or something on there, too and he may not notice or object.
And the noodles...I tried a little casserole thing... some mixed veggies, noodles, and cheese all mixed together in the micro or oven. But the truth is he'll probably even go through a stage where the coveted banana is even repulsive to him (my daughter did.) My friend's son went through a stage at about 18 months where he absolutely refused anything that wasn't brown. But he grew out of it, they always do as long as you keep offering him balanced options! Good luck and don't worry too much, I think this is totally normal.
S.

My son will be 3 on Feb. 1st and he used to be really pickey about food too. He wont eat mashed potatoes or rice but he will eat noodles. Just give him time. There was a few months when all my son would eat was PB&J and chicken nuggets. The occasional fish stick here and there. He has gotten better as he has gotten older but I believe that it just takes time for them to get to like different things. He loves fruit and lives for cheese and yogert smoothies. I buy him the kids one because they are small and perfect for little hands to hold. But the one thing he wont eat is veggies. Do you have any ideas on how I can get him to eat them.

J.,

My 16th month daughter Madison has been the same way, she HATES meat and I can't get her to eat pasta or rice either--its so fustrating!! She eats Cheerios, blueberry waffles, cantalope, banananas, honey dew, grapes, crackers (she loves ritz), gerber cookies, grilled cheese (LOVES IT), Oatmeal and mixed cereal (as plain and bland as that stuff she LOVES it--weird I know) and that is about it!! every once in a while she will eat gerber ravoli's with meat in it but she knows what they are so if we put them in front of her and if she don't want them she tosses the plate on the floor--its a lovely mess!! She has been so picky and every day I try something new or try to give her what we are eating for dinner for her to spit it right out. I can't get her to eat a Veggie either--its weird because as a infant she LOVED her veggies and her baby food with meat in it. Sometimes I get fustrated that she hasn't ate not one veggie in one week I will get the left over baby food in a jar (like sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans) and the funny thing is she will eat that but give her a whole green bean or pea and forget it--spits it right out and tosses it on the floor too. You are not the only one that has a picky eater--Madison is the same way, I just hope she one day will grow out of this phase, that is why I try everyday with something new. Just keep trying and know that other moms out there are going through the same thing.

Take Care,
C.

Hi J.,

I realize this is a late response, but, I figured better late than never - hopefully I'll be able to give you some ideas. My daughter is 22 months old & her diet includes some of the following things:

Fresh yams (I boiled them, peel them & mash them), they're inexpensive and 2 or 3 large yams will last through several meals. Scrambled eggs with or without cheese (I use white american because I love the way it melts) - I also make omelettes w/diced bellpepper & onion. Oatmeal - not the gerber or any other child's variety...usually kashi or which ever version has something like added Omega 3, ALA - etc. I mix in either a small amount of natural honey, some Yo-Baby yogurt, or cut up bananas, peaches, blackberries…etc. I buy sliced lean turkey sandwich meat (very thin) & she’ll eat a few pieces of that solo. She also loves fresh blackberries, strawberries, boysenberries, raspberries, white grapes, bananas, and sliced avocado. I have a recipe for a turkey chili – which is mild – that I can send you if you’d like…she loves to eat that either plain or with shredded cheddar cheese stirred in or as a side with another meal. Shredded chicken stir-fry (they’re meant to be fajitas but I avoid giving her a lot of unnecessary flour/starch) which has the chicken, red & green bell peppers, onion, shredded cheddar. If I stop at McDonalds I get her the fruit and walnut salad (it’s only a $1.50) and every once in a while I’ll grab a sausage & cheese mcmuffin (subtract the egg) for her which she’ll pull apart and eat each half separately. She absolutely loves tomatoes. She also eats shrimp, originally getting her to try it I had to let her dip it in a little bit of cocktail sauce because that’s what she saw me doing – and a lot of the time getting her to eat something new, or something she’s not excited about, simply means letting her dip it in a sauce – some ranch, maybe a little bit of ketchup or bbq or even a-1…just enough to peak her interest. She loves pb&j sandwiches – and I always include a fruit like pears, or even fruit cocktail (I only buy the canned fruit if it’s packed in water) and I only make her a half of a sandwich. I don’t give her white breads, she gets (I believe it’s Nature’s Promise – I’m not sure) a wheat bread that has double fiber & lots of grain, I also buy mini bagels (Thomas, I believe) that are wheat and I’ll put peanut butter on those, or I’ll even make her a mini sandwich with the turkey breast & a little bit of mustard. She loves the cottage cheese doubles (they include a side of fruit), and Yo-Baby yogurts (I’ve never tried her on the ones that have fruit/cereal included) and graham crackers (I buy the ones without cinnamon & sugar). I also make a beef stew and a chicken stew (both include green beans, onion, celery, corn, wax beans, zucchini & yellow squash). We do have some pasta – if possible I get wheat pasta. My family is Italian so I make my own marinara gravy w/meatballs – which she loves. So she’ll eat a few meatballs w/gravy and some parmesan cheese. Sometimes we’ll have spaghetti, rotini (I have a recipe for a casserole we call tomatoes, cheese & macaroni – sometimes I add ground meat into that I can give you those as well), the shell pasta (stuffed shells), elbow macaroni, and tortellini (cheese and cheese w/spinach). I try not to have pasta often and when I do I try to mix it up…marinara sauce, my gravy, an alfredo sauce, an alfredo sauce with sundried tomato (I also make one homemade), we even tried a pesto sauce once & I mixed it with alfredo…which she wasn’t ecstatic about but she did enjoy somewhat.

I think the main thing is to remember that children that are pre-toddler/toddler ages develop a lot of their early preferences based on texture more than even the taste of the food. If you try to versions of different meats it could really help you find meats that she will eat. For instance, if you notice the chicken foods Nevaeh eats are basically all shredded chicken…however she’s not a big fan of like chicken fingers/chicken nuggets. She even loves shredded chicken tacos, I just take all of the insides out – chicken, tomato, sour cream, cheese – and she’ll eat it without the tortilla. She loves salads too – but – she won’t eat the lettuce unless it’s super small & it’s mixed with mostly the toppings…I believe that’s a texture thing for her. So maybe he wouldn’t like a cheeseburger but he would enjoy a ground beef soft taco, or he’d love cut up grilled pork chops, or he’d prefer chicken fingers but not the shredded chicken – or maybe only if you dip it for him. I do want to add that I agree with the other posters, you're doing a great job. Good luck Mama!

Sounds like he's doing pretty well. At 14 months he can eat pretty much anything so offer him little bits of whatever you are eating and don't make a big deal out of it. Kids are really good at knowing when they are full and eating the right amount of calories if we don't mess with them too much. It sounds like you are offering lots of healthy foods - just continue to offer a variety of healthy options and let him pick what he wants to eat - lots of different grains, veggies and fruits. If you only offer healthy choices, you know whatever he picks will be good for him. Then you don't have to feel compelled to battle him and eating times can be enjoyable for all. I can't speak too much on the meat part - we are all vegetarians, but I think it's pretty common for toddlers to not eat very much meat. My vegetarian children (3 and 22 months) are healthy and doing just fine so I would imagine a child that eats it only occasionally would be fine as well.

Some foods my kids really like are - cheese sandwiches cut into cookie cutter shapes, quinoa (it's a really high protein grain and is similar to rice - easy to cook too!), quesodillas (sp?) - you can add black beans with cheese to add a little extra protein and let him dip in mild salsa for more veggies, yogurt, cheese tortelini (sometimes i get the cheese and spinach ones and they don't know the difference!) - also fun to dip in tomato sauce, and soups (minestone, potato, veggie) - the straw bowls work great for soup!

Good luck

Yep a child can live off bananas!! Hehehe or at least my 1st did at that age!!
What you seem to feeding him is fine, just fine!! Just keep offering him new things. They say it takes exposure to something different at least 10 times before they actually try it! So just keep putting a varity on his plate and he'll eventually try it! Don't worry about the meat so much, it's not uncommon for children not to eat meat. Seems what he's eating is pretty balanced.

Don't worry about it, he's gaining weight!

I make homemade vegetable barley soup and freeze individual sized portions. All three of my children have loved it since they were babies. Also, my kids loved cream cheese and perserve sandwiches on whole wheat bread cut into small pieces. They also loved to dip biter biscuits into yogurt. It was a mess but they had a great time. I gave all three if my children black and kidney beans since they were infants instead of meat products. As they got older I would melt cheese on them. All three of my children love refried beans and melted cheese on whole wheat tortillas. You can cut it into small pieces. Also, the shreddad cheese are great.

bananas are not a great thing to live off of but if you but thing he like in front on him like veggies and a little bit of meat or what not tell him he doesnt have to eat it but you want him to try it my mother did the same thing for me and my brother when we were little it was called the "no thank you bite" but it got us to try new things it really worked

kids can suvive on surprisingly little and be just fine. don't worry! However, your son is at a great age to experiment (not much issues with allergens), try things many times and he will get the taste for them eventually. If he doesn't want to eat meat, try some vegetarian things like hummus (he might like dipping the pita bread in the hummus). Grilled cheese, try bbq sauce on chicken breast. Ketchup!!! There are a bunch of books out there that give good ideas for toddler meals, go to the book store and look through them. The main thing is not to worry, what they don't like one week, they may suddenly love the next. Congrats about the next little girl, you are going to have so much fun dressing her ;-) Good luck.

your child has a pretty good variety. They say it takes up to 15 tries before they buy. if your child drinks milk then he is getting protein, you can try yogurt and cheese too. Maybe he doesn't like the texture of meat. Any way if he's eating fruits and vegetables that's great!! If he doesn't like chicken nuggets that much, even better!! they usually are processed meat and fat. Think outside the box, try beans and fish. Will he eat baked potato or baked sweet potato? You can try adding couscous or pastina to chicken broth with some of the vegetables he likes. But he really is doing well, you can be proud of that, give it time he'll eat more when he's ready but try to stay away from junk(just to get him to eat) give him what you have for your meals, seasoned the way you eat it(not too spicy though) and don't fret.you are doing a great job.

Trust me, you are doing a really terrific job. He is eating basically everything a normal toddler would eat. My two kids weren't really eating all that kind of stuff when they were that age. I mean, the milk, juice, cheerios, crackers, and, POSSIBLY, a vegetable or two. My kids were picky then and very picky now. My son is 7 and my daughter is 4.

Hey J., My son is also 14 months old and eats pretty much the same things your son is eating. He really wants whatever he sees us eating, so we let him try everything even spicy foods and he seems to like everything more when he gets to feed himself. If I try feeding him he tends to push food away more and act like he doesn't want it, but as soon as I hand over the spoon he will eat just about anything. He wasn't a big fan of rice or pasta either until I started mixing it in with other stuff like vegetable soup or casseroles. Alot of times he doesn't want what I make for him unless he sees me eating it too. I think you are giving your son good choices to eat and he will be fine. If he is hungry or not getting the right nutrition he will let you know. The best thing that I have found is to keep trying different things and also even if you find that he doesn't seem to like something, just try mixing whatever it is in with something that he does like and maybe you will have better luck with him eating it. Good luck and congratulations on your soon to be baby girl!! Take care.

He has a pretty good diet to get him to eat new things make his favorite and add new things. since he likes bannanas cut up half of a banna and give him alittle new food with it and when you sit to eat make your plate look like his you eat excatly what he is eating kids love to eat/copy off of there mom.....

He eats better than Elena! The only way she'll eat her veggies is if I mix them with cottage cheese. Ew, gross right? But she loves it. She can't drink milk either, so I've been giving her the store brand of pediasure. If you're worried, try that or give him a multi-vitamin. Elena's going to be starting that soon as well (like in 2 days soon, it's at my mom's).

If you're worried about protien since he doesn't eat much meat, try the cottage cheese. He may like it.

Him not wanting to try new things is normal. He's just showing his independence. It's hard to deal with, I know I have a hard time...especially after I try 3 different foods with Elena, she doesn't want them and I have to throw it out. Argh. She really loves those frozen tyson chicken tenders. They're real meat so they're ok for you. I also make turkey breast meatballs with some spinach in them and she'll eat like 3 at a time.

I guess I've said enough. We can talk more when I see you next. =)

I fyou are worried about healthy fat/protein intake (lack of meat) try yogurt (I liked Yobaby), scrambled eggs(my kid LIVED on them), lentil/veg stew, mashed or diced avocado. Just keep trying stuff, even after it has been rejected. Eventually they may eat it. The 'rule' in our house is that you have to try it-just one tiny bite-even if you've already tried it before, and if you don't like it you can spit it out.

J.
You are one luckly lady.
My son is so picky. The day he eats a veggie besides corn, I'll fall over. Good for you. Keep up the good work. My little one who's 3 eats no veggie but loves fruit. I'm greatful for that. As for the meat thing, it takes time for kids to acquire different texture preference.
Noodles make my kiddie gag. LOL

N.

My son is 2 1/2 yrs old. He still refuses to eat meat, so to make sure he gets the proper nutrition I give him lots of peanut butter as a substitute. He loves bananas as well but they can be rather constipating, so make sure there is a lot of fiber in the diet as well. It sounds like your boy's diet is right on target. If you ask the pediatrician they will mosty likely tell you the same. I was so worried about my son's diet that I asked for some advice on other foods. My son hates meat of any kind but he will eat bologna. It's mostly trial and error with most food groups because once toddlers find a food they like they prefer only that food. The pediatrician told me once they get older they will be more likely to try new/different foods. Hope this helps and congrats on the girl :)

I fed my toddler braunschweiger (liverwurst). It is a GREAT source of iron and calories and it is a little mushy so it isn't textured like normal meat. he loves it and it gets some great nutrition and calories into that busy body.

you may also want to talk to your pediatrician. that's what they are there for and they may have a good suggestion.

may I also suggest the book what to expect the toddler years. it has helped me out a great deal.

Yeah!!!!!! Your son eats like my daughter did at that age. She is now 16 months old, and eating alot of different things. Mac n chz, banana's (The only fruit she will eat), soy nut butter and jelly sand, carrots, green beans, spag, Oat bran cereal, cheerios, kix, blueberry muffins, cinn raisen toast, oatmeal, mash pot, soups, avacados, spiral noodles w/ garlic, and tomato sauce, and so much more. My daughter dosnt eat meat either. Hates it!!!!!!! She doesnt even drink juice! She hates that too!!!!! She drinks soy milk, and water only! She is still a picky eater when it comes to portions and her mood. She is finally gaining weight, but I think you are doing great, and so is your son. I found if I placed most of her food on my plate, she ate it. She always wanted what I had.

HI MY NAME IS A. I AM 24 AND HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD SON WHO LOVES TO EAT I AM ALSO A FIRST TIME MOM AND I AM MARRIED AND WE ARE EXSPECTING ANOTHER BABY ON THE WAY WILL BE HERE IN MARCH

MY SO LOVE'S MINI RAVIOLIES, CHICKEN SOUP, VEGIE SOUP, PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING I EAT HE WILL EAT SO ANYTHING YOU EAT GIVE THEM IF THEY HAVE TEETH. MY SON HAS 4 TEETH UP TOP AND FOR TEETH DOWN BOTTOM .
FOR EXSAMPLE TONIGHT WE ALL HAD STEAK, FRENCH FRIES, CORN, CREAMY GARLIC NOODLES, FRNCH BREAD. AND MY SON LOVE EVERY MIN OF IT. SO TRY TO GIVE THEM WHAT YOU ARE EATING DONT MAKE ANYTHING SPEACIAL.

GOOD LUCK
A.

J., i was reading ur letter about what ur toddler eats.....i have to say that it is great that he likes all those veggies. I only wihs I could get my daughter to eat all that stuff. My advice is not to worry about ur son eating meat. my daughter eats meat like it is going out of style but no veggies. our ped. told me to just keep offering all different types of food. that is all u can do and mayeb they will try something when u offer and maybe they won't but as long as he is gaining weight and is healthy it is ok. It sounds like u are doing everything right, keep up the good work. good luck with the rest of ur current pregnancy.
K.(mother of 3. 9yr old, 2 1/2 yr. old and an almost 1 yr old)

I understand. My daughter is 4 years old and she only this year started eating hamburgers (only from McDonald's with just pickles).She was the same way as a baby she didn't eat any meat. Made sure things like cheese and yogurt where in her diet for the protein but I let her eat all the veggies and fruit she wanted. She will now eat noodles but she still hates potatoes. Be happy he is not a meat and starch kid. Good eating habits will grow with him. Now the only Beef my daughter really likes is steak or roast beef cooked medium. My daughter is lean and a good height for her age so trust me a kid can live on diet of mostly fruit and veggies as long as you throw in some protein, He will do great!

He's doing great. Just keep introducing things to him over time. You may have to try quite a few times before he really likes a new food. Both my boys were slow to like new foods at first. But they are 16 and 18 now, and they'll eat anything that doesn't move! Maybe you might try a few things that don't seem to be "usual" baby food, too. We are legal guardians for a 17 year-old boy. He's Korean, and his mother tells me that, of course, Korean babies eat things like fish and seaweed. Now, you may not want to give your child fish and seaweed! But if he doesn't like meat, he might like a bit of fish. Many firm white fishes have a sweet taste, but the texture is different. But Americans think of fish more as a food for adults. I'm Italian, and I grew up eating fish and lots and lots and lots of vegetables. My Irish mother-in-law used to go nuts when I gave my kids bracciole when they were toddlers. This is a very thin round steak stuffed with things like hard-boiled egg, vegetables, and a little bread. It's rolled, browned in a pan and then cooked slowly in tomato sauce. It's really yummy, and it ends up quite tender. My boys would eat that, when they wouldn't chew other meats.
But don't worry! Your son is eating fine, and I'm sure his menu will expand as he gets older.

OK, to some people they are going to think this is gross and turn up there noses...have you tried liver? My son loves beef liver. I just sautee it in a pan until it is pink in the middle (so when it gets reheated at meal time, it doesn't get dried out). Liver is really good for baby/toodlers too because of the iron. One other thing to possibly try would be avacados. My son who is 13 months would be happy to have liver, avacado and watermelon at every meal, I think? It is one of the best meals he eats. Oh one other thing that has a lot of protein to take the place of the meat is beans (Garbanzo, black beans, kidney beans) I just get them out of the can and he goes to town. He is a huge fan of Chili's black beans that you can get as a side with childrens meals. Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

It sounds as though he is a good eater so don't stress to much, it could be way worse!

HI J.,

MY GRANDSON IS THE SAME WAY, WHAT I DO ESPECIALL IF WE'RE HAVING RICE, I CUT THE MEAT IN VERY SMALL PIECES AND MIX
IT WITH THE RICE, HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW THAT HE'S EATING IT, AND JUST LIKE A CHICKEN NUGGET IF I LEAVE IT WHOLE , HE WILL TAKE ONE BITE, BUT IF I CUT IT UP AND LET HIM HAVE A LITTLE FORK HE WILL EAT THEM UP, I GUESS IT MAKE HIME FEEL LIKE ONE OF US, PLUSE HE DOESN'T LIKE TO TOUCH FOOD WITH HIS HANDS, HE DOESN'T LIKE TO GET HIS HAND DIRTY.

J., you are doing great! Don't worry about the meat. He gets enough protein from milk/veggies. Mia still prefers fruits and veggies - meat occasionally. When the boys didn't want meat, I let it go. No sense getting them hooked on high fat meat like cold cuts (bologna) and hot dogs. Those are a rare treat. As far as new foods, just keep offering. He'll try it one day - until then he just might throw it everywhere. No pressure - just offer so that he sees there is other food that looks and smells different. I don't think Nick ate a veggie for his first yr, lol.

Hi J.!

My daughter (who will be three next week) has had the same diet from the time that she started eating solid food, and it very closely resembles what you have described your son’s diet as being. She has, over the last year or so, added chicken and hotdogs (we only by the beef ones), however, other than that, she absolutely REFUSES to eat any meat. None. No pork, no beef, regardless of the cut, no fish, nothing.

When I’ve questioned her pediatrician about this (on several different occasions), I have always been reassured that so long as she is eating something, putting on weight and remaining healthy, there is nothing really wrong with her diet, that she’s just a picky eater. (I am sooooo not used to this; my son always has and still does eat anything I put in front of him!) I’ve just learned to substitute things that have better nutritional value into the place of the things that she likes; whenever I can, I buy foods that are fortified with the vitamins and minerals that she may not be getting because of her choices. I also give her a multi-vitamin to help out with that.

Hope this helps! Good luck!!!

K.