My picky eater
- September 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM by bretsnag
- 8 Comment(s)
- 92 Total Views
My son, Bret Alan, is 2 years and 7 months old and he's a picky eater.
He does well with breakfast. He'll eat a pop-tart or cereal or eggs but when it comes to lunch and dinner, it's a battle. Sometimes I give him the choice between a hot dog or PB&J for lunch. He'll tell me he wants one, then the other and then when I just make him something, he'll take 2 bites and be done. I know this child is hungry! Why won't he eat? He likes carrots and green beans and sometimes corn and it frustrates me that I know he likes these foods but when I put them in front of him, he won't eat them - even after I've given him a choice of which one to eat. He very rarely eats meat. It's hard to get him to eat things with hamburger in it. He likes chicken nuggets and of course french fries but won't eat any other kind of chicken or potato. He won't eat mac & cheese or some of the other foods kids his age love. He drinks milk all day and prefers it over juice any time.
He's been picky pretty much as long as I can remember. When he ate baby food he was even picky though it didn't seem so bad. He ate his fruits and veggies but when it came time to give him any kind of meat, again he wouldn't eat it. I don't mind if he wants to be a vegetarian or a pseudo vegetarian but I'm worried that he's not getting enough of what he will eat. How can I get him to eat without making everything in the house before he decides he'll eat something?
- Written by bretsnag on September 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM
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Comments:
The only think I can think to do is give him less milk- that will make him more hungry.. give him water/juice at meals and let him have milk between meals. My dr said that milk satisfies them enough not to eat. ??? good luck! i know it's frustrating!
Aidan is just like that...I cant give him very many snacky things throughout the day because he wont eat meals...I agree with Erin..Give him less milk..Make him drink water or watered down juice...The doc always says they will eat when they are hungry. I have found this to be very true with Aidan....He may not eat all the time or at every meal...But he does eat and continues to gain weight....What is they say .....they eat 1tbs per year that they are at every meal...I wouldnt worry too much....Or maybe try giving him small healthy snacks several times a day..Like green beans or granola.......Hope I helped some...I go through this with Aidan EVERY DAY!!!! I always think that he is going to starve..But he continues to gain weight and grow....
I have heard that if kids drink too much milk they can get filled up on that and not feel hungry for food. So maybe try to cut down his milk intake. My kids are picky eaters too, so I asked Dr. Nichols about it and he said to give them half a Flintstone vitamin everyday to just make sure they are getting enough of the B vitamins kids will miss out on if they are picky about eating fruits and veggies. And they also have iron in them, which he will miss out on if he doesn't eat meat. I know vitamins aren't as good as getting the vitamins from the real source, but it makes me feel better to know they are getting at least some vitamins and minerals that they may be missing out on. When I worry about my kids eating, my mom and grandma always tell me that kids will eat when they are hungry, they aren't going to starve!
Thats what everyone told me about Nick too that he will eat when he is hungry. I don't think I will have that problem with Alex though he is the child that will eat me out of house and home!
Make the food fun too! I used to use cream cheese on crackers and make faces with peas, crackers raisins, bacon bits. We LOVE us some bacon around here. Also, I use flaxseed bread to roll up nutritious meals in, they have no idea what they are eating. Also,baby pitas (pittettes) and let them make it themselves given only healthy alternatives. Give him vitamins but that boy needs some meat. Smokies are fun with a stick pretzel stuck in the side. My kids like to dip things so if there is dip, they will eat it, especially with ranch.
I agree to try and cut back his milk intake. Does he like cheese at all? Maybe that might appeal him.
Oh my kids were and ARE still picky eaters! (So's my husband...lol!) Hannah is the same way with milk though so I've started not giving her the milk until she eats something first. If she doesn't eat then no milk! Dylan is the worst picky eater though...especially with meat! I don't know what it is with him....he'll eat the chicken nuggets or strips but a chicken breast is a struggle. Same thing! Anyway, you just have to keep at it with him and I liked Cat's ideas of sneaking it in & being creative with the food. I wish I had more time to do those things. He definitely won't starve though and my doctor told me to be sure to give her vitamins too. Good luck Rachel!
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My kids all went through phases of not being as hungry, but they would eventually hit a growth spurt and didn't seem to STOP eating. One thing I'm always been told, is they won't starve themselves, they will eat when they are hungry. Try sneaking healthy foods in things he likes, and if nothing else try giving him Pediasure to make sure he is getting his vitamins and nutrients. He is a healthy little bugger, he will be fine!
Tiffatoe Sep. 18, 2008 at 9:57 PM