How to Get a 12 Year Old to Eat Meat

Go to the library with him and pick out some vegetarian and/or vegan cookbooks. There may even be some out there targeted specifically for teens. Or go online with him and look for recipes he thinks sounds good. And get him involved in the cooking - start slowly and work together. This is a life skill and could be a fun bonding time with you.
My cousin is vegan - even though the rest of his family are serious meat eaters. His mom got him involved in cooking his own meals - and had him prepare some of his meals for the rest of the family too. He later went on to culinary school.
If he's not eating meat, you need to offer him other options of protein and limit the extra/non-nutritional calories. Also, everyone else should limit those extras too - just because everyone eats meat in the house but him shouldn't be the only reason he doesn't get unlimited desserts.
Help him to take ownership and responsibility for his eating choices so that he can develop good habits for life.

He's twelve, tell him if he is not eating meat, because being a vegetarian is perfectly healthy, he will eat a healthy non meat diet. If he won't eat it, don't give him anything else, it's not like fighting with a toddler, he is a big boy, don't give him the option. NO SWEETS! It seems he is acting like a 3 year old.

My youngest son went through a phase of just eating corn. It happens. Then he would just eat BBQ chicken for a week.

Maybe he's a vegetarian. Has anyone ever mentioned anything to him about eating "Bambi" or stuff like that? Just wondered. I still won't eat deer meat due to that....lol.

It could just be a phase. His body tells him..and us...what we need.

Nanc

I have to tell you that everyone that told you to trick or force him into eating meat is incredibly wrong here. I have been a vegetarian since I was about 5 yrs old, thats when my parents finally gave up on it. I am also allergic to seafood. One of my father's ex's thought I was just being stubborn and decided to cook a sauce with fish in it and, picked it all out, then fed it to me. I was sick for 2 days!! Also if it's been awhile since he has eaten meat, forcing him to eat it is a bad idea because the body will try to reject it and it will make him physically sick. It can actually take weeks, or longer for the body to readjust to eating meat if it has been long enough. I also think it is wrong to force someone to do something just because that is the way most people do it. Like I said, I am 26 now and have been a vegetarian for 21 yrs of my life!! I have no health problems. I even just had a baby girl 6 months ago, who is happy and healthy. I stuck to my vegetarian diet even through my pregnancy, and still had an 8 lbs 13 oz baby!! Look online, or get a vegetraian cookbook. Also you can easily modify many reciepes to exclude meat. There is a substitute for pretty much any type of meat out there. If you can't find the food at your regular grocery store, most do carry it now though, you can get it at any health food store. :) I can understand that you just want him to be healthy, and thats what my family wanted too. Being the only vegetarian in the family has never been easy, but if it's what he wants then you should support him in his decision. The doctor even told me when I was pregnant that red meat is not very good for you. Just be sure he gets enough protien to supplement what he's not getting from the meat and he will be just fine.

what the big deal about meat? Can't you give him beans, tofu,and other sources of protein instead? I'd say he is smarter than most(including me). There are other food products that can provide the protein. I am not a vegeterian, but there are a variety of vegeterian meals that are delicious and visually tempting. Try a vegeterian cookbook.

Hi R.,

I am a serious carnivore - as my friend says if its got a face and dead I eat it....but I have a few thougths about your situation.

Plain and simple his body may not need it and his reaction to meat the body's way of communicating to you. He may even have a food allergy that hasnt been realized. I have a friend who can only eat organic fruits and vegetables because all of the additives used for growing makes her sick. I have another friend whose son was orginally diagnosed as Autistic but in the end they found the right doctor (thank God) that realized it was sever food allergies its been 5 years and he cant eat most meats.

Some of the solutions - your son may need to get his proteins and iron from alternate sources. Eating meat doesnt make him healthy - its just what we commonly know to be a good source. Maybe enhancing the foods he currently eats will be the way to go and then making sure he gets the right vitamins and supplements for his age. You can see a nutritionist that will help you learn how to balance his diet without meat.

Now a days most resturants will be accomodating if you order sides or ask about vegetarian plates. And, parties - picnics usually the menu allows for salad or a side that will be non meat related. Also the www.vegetariantimes.com is a great resource for understanding diet and getting new recipes. If he is a lover of cakes and pies ... then I suggest adding a little dose of vegetable to your recipe. For instance pureed spinach can be added to brownies and your son will never know its there - www.cdkitchen.com is one spot to find a recipe amongst others; carrots in mac and cheese, and if you can get him to eat pasta with tomato sauce adding vegetables to the sauce and pureed meet might just be a solution to enhancing his diet. Using enhanced pasta is another great way - ronzoni makes smart balance - which I use for my kids.

My kids (3 total) all started out as great eaters and then went to eating 2-3 foods. I had to work hard to adjust and balance. Eventually I was able to work around them and expand their choices. I too am a full time working mom I run a division of a large corporation, my husband travels for his job about 60% of the month...so having to accomodate several taste choices can be consuming but once I got my timing down it was easy.

All in all - I guess my thoughts are first check with your doctor and some research to make sure he doesnt have a real physical problem/reaction to meat. Then try to work with what he likes, as you expand his choices, then he will start to make newer choices. Also educate him to understand what his body requires and he will also begin to be responsible for his foods. My 9 year old son is a label reader and knows all about transfats (he has actually educated us)...not from me but because his classmate comes from a household that is very nutrition aware. Exposure to the thought process of food will make a big difference.

Hope this helps,
Nath S.

Hi!
I would try to get some nut butters into his diet (peanut, almond, cashew...) maybe on whole grain toast or crackers. That should up his calories, and adds some protein and healthy fat, as well as omega fatty acids. Also, consider a vitamin B complex supplememnt. Possibly also some Floradix (sp??) which is a non-constipating iron supplement. It kind of tastes crappy, but it's really helpful. You may be able to get it in pill form too. He probably won't object to vitamins, since there is no taste involved. Tell him it will help him develop muscle mass, he'll like that!
Maybe also look into getting a protein shake into him a few times a week. Maybe you can start him making smoothies with fruits, vanilla yogurt and protein powder? That's a fun thing to do and it tastes awesome (sweet, since he has a sweet tooth). He can experiment with different fruits and that can be his "thing" to do for the family.
These are all things I do in my own life, since I don't eat much meat myself. But I'm very healthy, promise!
Good luck! and be well,
E..

Hi R.!
It sounds like you're really stressed out and worried about your son. He can certainly find ways to meet all of his nutritional needs without eating meat....so don't fret! Maybe meat is indeed not the right food for him....our bodies are so much more intelligent then we ever seem to give them credit for! Mainly....I don't want you to worry...You Can Work This Out!
The best you can do right now is to make sure that the foods he's eating are as high quality as possible. If he's eating white pasta right now, I'd suggest you try some whole wheat pasta, or seek out another alternative to white pasta. Also, have you tried creating different types of sauces? I ran into the same trouble with my daughter a while back and I would just make her sauces from scratch (super easy!) by throwing some tomatoes, basil, garlic, onions in the blender and then getting some kale or spinach or peppers, whatever you want (or all of it) and throw it in as well. After it's all blended up, it looks just the same as regular tomato sauce and it's packed full of other veggies, which will make you feel much better about what he's eating. Also, try any sort of beans for a good protein substitute, and avocados for a healthy fat source! There are so many options and I'm sure you will find something that he will enjoy. I actually counsel people through these sorts of changes in their diet, so please feel free to give me a call...I'd be happy to just sit down with you or him, or both for 1 or 2 sessions and get you all feeling better! My number is ###-###-#### I have an office in Huntington Village on Long Island, but I also work with many clients by phone if they aren't local.
Stay positive! It will get better!
All the best,
S.
________________________________
S. T.
Certified Holistic Health Counselor, AADP
www.shannontategiordano.com
###-###-####

I wouldn't try to force the "meat". If he doesn't like it - - - he just doesn't like it. There are many great protein sources out there in nuts, beans, legumes. There are some great tasty choices. In our grocery store, in the organic frozen section, there are Edmame (soy beans) these are a yummy little snack or can be added to salads. My six yr old also loves reaosted chick peas. I toss them with a little olive oil and garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili pepper and salt. Put them in a 400 oven for about 45 min to an hour mkaing sure to turn them occasionally - they come out crunchy and delicious (plus VERY nutritious - high in protein and fiber)

Check out the interenet for vegetarian recipes. Maybe he'd like tofu? OH - there is a great compnay out there called revival soy that makes all kinds of soy products, soy pasta is one- - which would be a great substitute for his regular pasta to get him to eat the added protein. They also have soy chips in many different flavors, I like their salsa flavor - YUM. check out www.revivalsoy.com

Good luck!

Hi R.,

I agree with most of the other responders, your son can have a healthy diet without meat. Try to avoid having him fill up on sweets though, you will regret it. Before you offer him soy or soy products, I encourage you to check out this website: www.Dr.Mercola.com and read what he has to say about soy. I was convinced that soy was a "health food" until I read more about it.
Good luck!

Hello R.,
Well, let me tell you something: you just described me 19 years ago. I am almost 30 now and still a vegetarian. I remember my parents worrying about me trough my whole teen years. I grow up in Germany and being vegetarian back then wasn’t the easiest thing in life. I got mean looks from teacher and everybody else that I told that I CAN’T eat meat. I say CAN’T because I actually would throw it up when I swallow it; it just made me gag. Nobody understood WHY and nobody understood ME back then (now it is much easier :). I didn’t eat eggs or anything that had eggs in it (pasta, cakes ….) and I got to a point where my hair and teeth ware falling out. Then in my mid teens I started slowly putting eggs back into my diet but it was to late, I already had so many health problems and my hormones where a mess. I suffered trough my early 20’s with lots of problems (messed up periods and other female issues), I was even told that most likely I wouldn’t be able to have kids. I started to pay more attention to my nutrition and included other food that had proteins and also took the vitamin B supplements. It took me many years to get my hormones and body back into a healthy balance and to my surprise I finally got pregnant (I now have a healthy 2 year old girl :). One bad thing I still battling is my “Sweet Tooth” that is getting my weight in trouble…..I had that problem since I was a kid and don’t know how to fix it ;)
Anyway, my point it that you and your son together should talk to health professionals (nutritionists) so you son can learn and be aware of the consequences that will come with improper nutrition and he should take it seriously. I wouldn’t force him to eat meat if he doesn’t want to but I would try to teach him to replace the meat with a vegetarian protein option (like tofu, other soy products, beans…..). Buy some of those products for him and see which he will like the best. I have tons of vegetarian recipes that work well with rest of the family and their meat dishes (for my family I have to cook every day that will please my vegetarian need and there meat needs). I would be more then willing to share with you if you are interested.
Your son also might be just going trough a phase (as many teens go trough), so you might don’t have to deal with the whole vegetarian thing for to long …… just support him, understand him, help him trough the phase and everything will work out…..
Good Luck!!

Hi R.,

Is it an ethical objection to the meat? Will he eat fish? I became a vegetarian as a teenager, for ethical reasons, and now as an adult, I will eat fish, which is a good source of protein. It is possible to get a balanced, healthy diet without any meat, but it's true, if he is picky to boot, then it can be tough. I have seen teenagers who are vegetarian with awful eating habits (pasta and twinkies). I know it was a hard transition for my parents, who were used to having meat at dinner.

A helpful resource is the Vegetarian Times: Beginner's Guide (I think it's called), it's a short book with information about eating a healthy, meatless diet, and it includes lots of recipes. Also, more in depth, Diet for a Small Planet is a good book that has recipes that include ways to get balanced proteins in all kinds of stuff, like pancakes and cookies, along with entrees. And www.vegweb.com is a good online resource for vegetarian recipes if you need a place to start. I hope some of those resources help you find something your son will eat! Good luck!
M. :)

Why do you want him to eat meat? If he likes chef's salad thats great, at least he is getting greens. Will he eat beans, does he drink milk? He is growing and needs some protein which he can get from dairy products, yogurt is good, so is ice cream in moderation. Stay away from cakes and cookies, but fruit pies are good too. I think the less you pay attention to his eating the more he will eat on his own.
Just remember thin is better than fat any day.

I don't have a pre-teen yet. Best of luck. Try to put the meat in differnt things, and hide them in noodle meals, things like that. Also, try to peree them in things. Jerry Seinfelds wife has a great book. Check it out and you can buy on e-bay.

Hi:

I would suggest that you try whole grain pasta and beans of different kinds. Lentils, garbanzo beans, etc.

Many cultures have vegetarian diets so don't stress and try to use the internet for recipes.

Good luck!

H.

Dont make it an issue. Vegetarians can eat nutritiously. That is what is most immportant to persue and focus on.

This is also a side effect of our opulent culture. Our children have the option to refuse food. Mine have. Its just the way of it. If we were actually facing starvation we would not have these issues.

I would add veggies to his pasta, such as spinach, zucchini, squash with garlic and oil and I wouldn't force meat, but concentrate on getting protein other ways. I would try peanut butter, beans (good in soups, tacos or burritos), lentils, cheeses, milk (at least 2 to 3 glasses a day - you can add chocolate or strawberry flavor so he gets his sweet craving satisfied in a healthier way). Good Luck!

I agree that there really isn't enough info in your post. First I would switch to one of the pastas out there that has high protein content, but this is only a band-aid for the problem. Then, I would look to your local YMCA or health club (or even health food store) and see if they offer any nutrition and/or cooking classes for kids your sons age. It would be good if the class included other kids, but one on one would work too. He doesn't have to eat meat or eggs, but he does need protein!!! Also, get him involved in the meal selection/preparation process. Maybe he could cook dinner one night a week (not pasta with garlic salt). If he was responsible for selecting and preparing the food for the meal, he might take more interest in it. Also, sweets have to become a reward, no dessert unless you eat a healthy dinner (and then maybe just on the weekend - if he did well throughout the week), no sweets during the day (this includes soda - does he drink milk at least?). Switch to fresh fruit topped with plain or vanilla yogurt or other "healthier" dessert options.

I'm going through this a little bit with my daughter, but she's only 5, so she's at a very different mental level than your son. Whether through the influence of her school, or from us, she is starting to take a strong interest in eating healthy things, and which item on the plate is the healthiest choice.

Good luck, try to get him to open up about what he might like to try, and what it is he does or doesn't like about certain foods, and maybe together you can come up with some new options that you all will like.

Hi R. -

First - don't stress about the lack of meat in his diet. Read this article I came across a few weeks ago and have taken to heart:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/dining/11mini.html?_r=2...

Second - search for new recipes online. Kraft has a wonderful website where you type in what ingredients you have on hand (or what your son likes) and they will recommend recipes.
Go here and then click on "Dinner"
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Pages/home.aspx

Good Luck!!
SAS

I was the same way when I was a kid. I would only eat pasta (plain) cucumbers, white bread (no crust) and raw iceburg lettuce or raw potatoes!! I grew out of it..and so will he. I took a daily vitamin (flinstones)
If he likes fruit pies or fruit juice, that's something...you can't force him to eat meat, eggs, etc..it'll never work. I remember becoming interested in hamburgers when my mom started letting my friends and I go to McDonalds after football games...good luck!

Try nuts, and other protein sources.
Don't make it an I am in charge situation.
Ultimately he is in charge.
Here's some of our story:
Our daughter was always a picky eater. In 6th grade she started eating funny. Lots of salad!! Lots of stomach aches. MD kept saying no problem. Long story.
Ultimately in 8 th grade she ended up in the hospital with what they diagnosed as anorexia. Did she have that? Who knows? She is a vegetarian. They told me at the hospital that she would probably have to go back every year. She has never had to go back. Is it tough? Yes!!! I rely alot on my faith in Jesus to get me through.
The MD's at the hospital told me to make sure she got a balanced diet and I was responsible. When I went to the health food store, they told me to let go and see what happened.
I had a hard year, praying alot and balancing my role as mom, and my child being so independent that she thought she could feed herself better than I could. OK. It was crazy!! It is sometimes still crazy=== but she is in college now, living in the dorm and eating in their vegetarian cafetaria. Why because one doctor said. Sounds like you have gone vegetarian and your parents can't understand that. Is that correct? She said nothing which at the time was the norm. That doctor built her a way out.
My suggestion is to build him a way out. Don't however wait so long that he is loosing weight because they loose fast.
Would love to hear from you
Write me.
God bless you and give you strength and wisdom
K.
SAHM married 38 years, sons 37(volleyball coach and entrepreneur), & 32 lawyer for the US gov.(he made us grandparents this summer) and twins girls 18 who we homeschooled. They are both in college heading for successful carreers.

hmmmm,,, will he eat cheese or beans? and when you say chef salad with cukes? you mean no meat.. just lettuce and cukes> * i was under the impression that the meat is what makes it a chef salad.

so 2 things... if he won't eat meat so be it, as long as he gets his protein and iron from other sources... you may have to do vitamens/ or kids ensure/nutripals

Does he like juice? V8 FUSION is excellent source of vitamens..every 8 ounces is a full serving of vEGEtables AND Fruits. and there are no fillers/ chemicals / perservatives. there are 4 flavors to choose from.

nd finally.. Seinfelds wife actually published this book you should be able to get at the library, i think it's called "simply delicious" it's recipes that hide veggies in cakes, etc..

At least he would get them I wouldn't worry too much about the meat, that could just be his personal preference, as long as he's getting his nutrition somehow. Our bodies wern't really designed for meat, and though I eat it, the Vegetarians i've met are the healthiest people i know...

good luck

I have a great book, 15 minute vegetarian gourmet. The recipes are simple and good. You could also check out quinoa. it's a grain that has a lot of protien. He could put that or some beans or cheeses in his salads.
good luck

Hi R.,

Not sure what to tell you about getting your son to try new things...but he should get nothing sweet-wise. You mention he likes sweets...if he doesn't eat what is on his plate, he gets nothing else...

Kids won't starve themselves, I would talk to your pediatrician...but I'm sure he'd say the same about no sweets.

Salads are great, maybe you could get him to eat some nuts, I personally love sunflower seeds on my salads.

Best wishes and keep us posted...
J.

Hi R.,
If he hasn't eaten meat for 12 years, why is it necessary that he start now? Meat is not a necessary part of the diet, it's a myth that meat is needed to be healthy. Now, if all he eats is plain pasta, that is a problem. He needs to eat whole grains, good sources of protein, vegetables and fruits. He doesn't need to eat a dozen types of vegetables, but he needs to eat a leafy green variety and a yellow/orange variety.
If you have a picky eater and a child who does not eat meat, I would consult with a pediatric nutritionist who can help you to plan meals to your preteen's liking that will ensure that he gets the nutrition necessary - and be sure to bring him to the appointment, he is nearly a teenager and old enough to understand nutrition and take some responsibility for his. If his picky eating habits are causing a problem for you with meal planning and cooking, he is certainly old enough to take some responsibility for preparing his own meals. But it's absolutely necessary that if a child doesn't eat meat, that he's getting the right amount and sources of non-meat protein
Good luck

Not enough info. here. You need to find out why he's not eating meat/eggs. Is it the texture or does he want to be a serious vegan? My son is a picky eater. The food has to look good and have no sauce, plus he is texture sensitive. He doesn't like anything soft or mushy. He also doesn't like any fat or grissle in his meat, so all the meat I buy must be very lean. I also have to make the hamburgers, because he likes them very thin. If your child is vegan, then invest in a good vegan cookbook that is kid friendly. Here's what I do for my picky eater:

1. Skin salmon fillets, spritz with olive oil, season with salt, and broil 10 min. on one side, flip and spritz and season again, broil for 4-5 more min. until crispy.

2. Marinade boneless, pork loin cutlets in soy sauce for 15 min., broil on one side for 8 and 4-5 min. on the other side.

3. Marinade extra lean eye round beef cutlets in teriaki sauce for 15 min., broil 8 min. on one side and 4-5 min. on other side.

4. Hamburgers: 1 lbs. lean hamburger, 1/4 c. finely crushed frosted flakes, 1 egg, and salt and pepper to season. Mix everything together, pat out very thin onto waxed paper, freeze on cookie sheet, store in bags, and use when ready.

If he likes pasta, try to include lots of Italian foods! Cheeses give a ton of protein, as does yogurt, cottage cheese, and other dairy products. One glass of milk has 8 grams of protein! If you can, try 2 percent rather than skim (for underweight kids). Keep up the tomato sauces, as well. Lots of nutrients! Try sandwiches with cheese, and add in veggies too- cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, etc. Also peanut butter and jelly (or banana with honey). Keep up those salads, and try adding in veggie and/or cream-based soups. Have you tried tofu? Tempeh? He may love those! And how about Mexican or Indian foods? Beans are super healthy- from pinto to lentil, they're all full of protein and vitamins!

Don't push the meat. He doesn't really need it, and can get all his nutrients from other sources. He may come around in time, or may just end up a vegetarian. Either way, he sounds like a healthy guy to me! :)

I would encourage him in his vegetarianism, personally. If he really doesn't like meat, which was the case for me as a child, then his options are to eat vegetables, beans, legumes, breads, rice, potatoes, and dairy if he likes milk/yogurt/cheese. You mentioned he doesn't like eggs, and that's okay. If he likes salad, then he should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens, like spinach, and not just iceberg lettuce. Shredded carrot, shredded cabbage, shredded beets (if he likes sweets, then the sweet starchy vegetables like beets, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, carrots, etc. may appeal to him). Add cheese or avocado to his salad, chick peas, beans, cottage cheese, sweet peas. Serve with a side of bread or a baked potato, you can alternate between a regular russet potato and sweet potato. You could mash it with a bit of milk.

Roasted vegetables make good fillers for wraps and sandwiches. I used to eat Cream cheese sandwiches with minced apples and walnuts on a multi-grain bread. If he likes roasted vegetables, you could saute some green/red peppers, onions, and mushroom, add some mozzarella cheese, and put it into a wrap. Have you tried veggie burgers? Morningstar farms makes tasty ones and they offer those at Burger King if you're looking for a fast food option when you're on the go. You can make sweet potato or regular french fries in your oven and serve with a veggie burger. Pasta with vegetables and tomato sauce, or pureed vegetable sauce in a tomato base (whatever vege you like, maybe zucchini). You could try and offer a meatless meatball.

the only thing that will get him to like different vegetables, is exposure. Keep offering them to him, offer them to him in different ways--raw, cooked, in a sauce, with a dipping sauce, pureed, in a hummus or bean dip, in a guacamole, etc. Pair them with foods you know he likes, like fruit with cottage cheese, etc. Give him a choice--you can have a salad with x, y, z or you can have a pasta with a vegetable and tomato sauce but you cannot have plain pasta with garlic salt. You can have another piece of bread if you eat three bites of your vegetable, that sort of thing. Be enthusiastic about the foods--if you eat them, he will be more inclined to at least try them. But DON'T push. If he is distressed by an item, like turkey, egg, or broccoli, don't force it on him. Acknowledge that he just doesn't like it and move on to something he does. Offer two new things at dinner and one thing you know he likes. He'll work out what he likes and find balance. In the meantime, give him a multivitamin.

Good luck!

Well R.,
Get yourself and him to Trader Joe's in Oceanside or Merrick and let him pick out some meatless protein choices. Never force a child to eat anything that does not appeal to them. I feel that we all know what we need and he is telling you something. Meat is essentially unhealthy anyway so I would not worry about his health.

He needs protein for sure, and the choices at Trader Joe's will help a lot! I have been a vegetarian for 38 years and my Twin girls their entire 19 years of life. One decided to do the meat thing when she had this heavy meat eating boy friend and family the other twin maintained her meatless diet. The veggy gal was healthier and my other daughter started to get sick more often and have digestion problems. Now, 27 she is back to pure veggies they both have lots of tofu dishes and seitan (wheat gluten) meals. High protein and tasty. Tofu takes on the flavor of anything it is put with ..salad dressing raw in salad or fried in ginger tamari! Try Spegetti sauce. This is what I would suggest. Your son may be way more intuitive than you know and meat is not good for him. Whenever we make an issue of food all kinds of weird sub-conscious garbage starts. Try not to do that to him. He is 12 a very sensitive age coming up to maturity.

I would accommodate him the best you can.
You may find your family liking the food as well and being healthier as a result, you might not.

Good luck on this. When we remember Love is the answer to everything, God will help us!
God Bless,
M. G

R.... take him to a homeopath or naturopath... chances are he has gut flora imbalances, because a diet high in refined grains/carb sugars (pasta, cakes, pie, ice cream) create a gut environment where yeast thrive. Then, when he has a lot of yeast, he will automatically crave more of the same.

So, get solid advice on probiotics and how to adjust his diet. All those grains/sweets will cause blood sugar spikes and put him on a vicious cycle of cravings. That is why he is so particular; it will require some help from the experts to change his gut flora and help him enjoy other foods.

Homemade chicken stocks would be a nice addition; you can just do broth with veggies pureed in and some brown rice pasta- it will be more nutritious than refined wheat pasta.

That doesn't sound healthy - does he eat any dairy products or fruits? I've made a few suggestions below.

V-8 makes a fruit drink that has hidden vegetables in it - my son loves the peach mango flavor.

There are a few books out on hiding vegetables in kids food - one is the sneaky chief, the other delicious deception by jessica seinfeld - maybe there will help?

Does he have any interest in food preparation - maybe he can try making something?

Have you tried fish or chicken? Many children love chicken nuggets.

I'd check with your pediatrician about a nutrional drink like ensure or boost to see if that would be good for him.

My daughter has been a vegetarian since she was 13 and has been now for almost 3 years. This was a choice on her part because of her beliefs. If your son truly doesn't like meat, don't force him to eat it. There are many choices for vegetarians. We always cook for the family and make sure that some of our dinner is vegetarian-friendly. This includes veggie burgers, veggie sausages, fake chicken patties and nuggets, etc. Try looking in your grocery store..they should have a nice variety of foods. If you insist that he eat some kind of meat product, try a beef based soup. This will also get him to eat more vegetables. It works for my 7 year old like a charm. Try getting to help prepare the meals too. This always makes my kids more eager to eat what is on their plates. Good luck to you with everything.

I don't think it is terribly important that he eat meat but obviously there is a great protien deficiency going on there.
Will he eat dairy foods and beans and peas. they have lots of protein. Sorry that he doesn't like eggs either.
I do think he should be evaluated by a nutritionist. Start with you pediatrician and they can refer you. Sometimes when a kid learns about his own diet from someone other than mom they may listen a little better. Especially at his age.
M.

Is that really a bad thing? Are you concerned about Iron or Protein? Or just that hes not eating meat?? Meat is not required to as part of a meal but we have grown up in meat and potatoes families its hard to forget and leave it. In my case it was rice and beans everyday with chicken.

There are plenty of veggies that provide all the nutrients that a growing body needs. With a little research you can find them all but leafy greens are a start. Dark greens are great.

I am a vegetarian and my husband makes a big stink about it. Saying that we cant go out and eat cause I eat nothing, but you'll be surprised at what can be found to eat. I too cook a meal for myself and a separate meal for my kids and husband. Which can be a pain but in the end everyone is happy.

Look into Mock meats... Ive used them all the time and sometimes my husband has cant tell. But beans work and anything soy.

And about the junk food... I would get natural and organic junk food, at least you know its natural and not loaded with chemicals and preservatives that only hurt you in the long run.

Good Luck

Good Luck