Henry has become such a picky little eater. I want to know how some other Moms have handled that. I really feel like this is recent, he used to eat everything! I want him to eat because he's in such a low percentile for weight. He likes Yo Baby and cheese and breads and most fruits but I'm running out in the vegetables and protein department.
Adam was so worried about the protein thing that we bought frozen chicken nuggets and he'll eat about two of those before he throws the rest on the ground. (Powers says thanks!) So, do we make him eat everything or do we provide options when he doesn't like something so that he eats?
11 comments:
Camille, we're kind of in the same spot. Will is getting slightly better now but he definitely went through a yogurt and mandarin oranges phase for a month or so. My pediatrician told me he is old enough to say, "Sorry, that's what we're having" but I wasn't willing to put up with the fits and it seems like he has issues with texture on things so I try to give him some choices but make them as healthy as possible. He is now starting to eat veggies occasionally but sometimes still shakes his head no at me.
A couple of tricks that work pretty well for us. 1. MUFFINS!! Maybe Henry won't be a muffin freak like Will is but my son loves carbs so I made carrot muffins and zucchini muffins and loaded them with twice the veggies, barely any sugar, used whole wheat flour and used applesauce instead of oils. He loves them! I can email you my recipes if you are interested. 2. I put peas and other veggies (like broccoli ground up a lot) in his yogurt and he will eat them. 3. Eggs. For protein, I make scrambled eggs for Will a lot. He isn't a huge fan but he will have a few bites.
Anyway, those are things that are working for us so far. I am eager to read what your other readers say! Thanks for posting. Miss you guys!
hey im in your boat, Aiden wont eat ANYTHING! Its crazy! I was worried about protein too but Aiden will eat turkey hot dogs cut up....try that! love yall!
have you tried hard boiled eggs? How about deli meats (cold cuts)? How about black beans or some other kind of beans??
Also greek yogurt has a lot of protein in it...
Just guesses, things you could try.
Also for kids I've watched they love love love dipping sauces- ketchup, salad dressing, milk for that matter... haha
If he is not allergic...peanut butter. That has been my goto for protein (plus tons of other good stuff it provides). I buy organic natural pb (Wegmans brand is awesome!) and offer it morning, noon and night. My oldest will even eat a spoonful right out of the jar.
Jack was pretty much a vegetarian for a while and we had the same 'protein' problem. He's better now. I never thought he'd eat red meat and finally he is starting to even though it took 2 years! Just keep offering him a variety of foods and eventually he'll be a balanced eater. Sometimes it takes them a while before they realize they like it. But in general, my boys will eat like pigs for a few days and then not eat for like 2 weeks (not really but you know)...eating habits are totally random and frustrating when they're little!
I know nothing about parenthood...but our fav alternative protein sources are beans (try hummus!) and nut butters (almond, peanut, sunflower). Could you try fruit smoothies w/ nut butter mixed in? Or try nut butter in cereal if he eats hot cereal. Also, coconut milk.
I feel your pain!! I worried so much about Addy's eating habits, but they are starting to get more normal! She lived on yo-baby yogurt and now they make a veggie and fruit horizon yogurt that she loves. I do usually offer that if she wont eat anything else, but she has started eating more of the things we eat. She used to love guacamole, but now that is not a hit. We tried peanut butter, but I don't think she likes the consistency or the fact that it sticks to her mouth. She loves hummus and that is a big hit at our house. We also eat alot of Boca and Morningstar stuff with soy protein(and I guess you would consider it vegetables too) and she loves the Morning Star sausage patties and the Boca breaded chicken patties. She also loves scrambled eggs and I recently made her sliced cheese (I bought the vegetarian kind so it wasn't actually cheese, but it did have protein)and turkey sandwich meat roll ups and she likes those. We just keep on trying new things! Some nights I just resort to mac and cheese! We started putting her in a booster seat and let her eat dinner with us at the table and I have noticed that she likes to eat the same stuff as us since she can see us eating it too. She despises spaghetti sauce and she loves dipping everything in ketchup!! Good Luck!!!
funny because i was wondering the same thing today. mary used to eat whatever i put in her mouth... if i put some bread on her tray she'd eat whatever veggie i stuck in her mouth between bites. not as much these days. i'm trying to be creative but running out of ideas also. glad you brought this up, there are some good ideas above. :)
some of the things i do...i put veggies in things she likes... like a grilled cheese with spinach. i also put spinach in yogurt almost everyday and she loves it. weird, i know! as far as protein, i put cottage cheese in things (like applesauce or yogurt), tofu cubes (just plain, sometimes i wonder if she thinks it's cheese) and french toast. she doesn't love plain eggs but if they're on bread she's all about it. i just do whole wheat bread in some egg, milk and cinnamon... so no sugar or syrup but she doesn't know that you're supposed to have syrup with french toast. :)
good luck and let me know if you come up with anything else!
So, I guess you're seeing that you're not alone! ha We're there too! I think Anniston's problem is more that she has trouble getting over the texture of the food in her hand...once it's in her mouth, it's not too too bad, but I still have to work sometimes... I'm liking these suggestions! Thanks for asking this.
I've noticed lately too that if she sees us eating with her, she is more likely to want what's on our plate more than what's on hers...even if it's the same thing :).
I had forgotten that Caroline gave the boys the Soy "Morning Star" stuff. Also had thought of this before, but fruit smoothies with spinach. You can't even taste the spinach and put a little yogurt or MY personal favorite ice cream in it. If he is rocking and rolling---he's eating enough. Worry when he is in a lump on the floor with no energy!
Camille and others...This is Sandra (your blog stalker from Super Suppers!) Henry is SO handsome and it is fun to watch him grow when I take a look at your blog! I am also a dieitian...so have a little advice for you...Your little ones are showing that they can be in control and WIN! So they learn quickly that if they don't want to eat something for WHATEVER reason it may be (and this can change hourly!!), they know that you will freak out and give in to getting them something that they WILL eat! Here is a link to the American Dietetic Association website that has some great suggestions for feeding toddlers. Remember that ALL toddlers are picky eaters...as you can see by all of these comments! AND EVERY mom worries that their kids are not getting enough...but if they continue to grow (whether they are growing at the 5%ile or the 95%tile) then they are getting enough to eat! remember that someone has to be at the 5th and someone at the 95th for that bell curve to happen! My best suggestion is to offer a variety of foods INCLUDING foods that YOU are eating..and also have 1 or 2 items that you know they will eat...and then don't make a big deal about it...let them play with the new food, touch it, play with it, eat it, spit it out, feed it to the dogs, etc, etc...and just KEEP trying foods...sometimes kids need to see something 100 times before they decide they actually LIKE it!!! They do like to eat what you are eating so this is a good suggestion...It helps prevent you from getting into the habit of making 2 separate meals. Rule of thumb is 1 Tablespoon of a food item per age...so just put 1 Tablespoon of each food item on the table or tray. I often call the years between 2 and 18 the "white" diet years...since this the color of their diets (the foods that they WANT to eat all the time...chicken nuggets, fries, cheese, yogurt, milk, cereal, bread, noodles)...but don't give up...keep putting color on the table..eventually they will try it and some things maybe they will NEVER like, but more often than not, they will end up liking SOME of them...but just be warned, when you think you have them all figured out, they will change on you AGAIN and refuse something...hope this helps put you at ease... Good luck! Many of the suggestions have been great..
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=5529
Post a Comment