Picky 4 Year Old

I would guess your daughter is a "super taster". I myself am one. Very few people understand that we all have different taste buds. A super taster doesn't like the taste of most vegetables - or berries ! The things you mentioned are very bland - I'm sure they taste super strong to her. Your baby is likely not a super taster. It's all genetics. In one family, there could be one super taster and 3 non super tasters - and life can be pretty hard for the super taster if the family is not sympathetic to the very real fact that these foods taste different to her. I have one daughter who is borderline super taster. I have one daughter who is not. That daughter eats ANYTHING put in front of her - will try it all - and has said herself, "I have never not liked something that I've tried." My other daughter will be able to tell by smelling it (and most super tasters can tell by smell) that she's not going to like it - and I believe her because I can too. Your daughter likely won't like coffee, tomatoes, garlic, onions, etc.. Google supertasters (or super tasters) and you'll probably find some good articles. I haven't googled it in years, but when I did, I found some good articles that shed light on why I am the way I am. I agree with your pediatrician - just put a little bit on her plate and don't force - but do also try to feed her what she likes and not force her to be hungry. She can't help that her taste buds are different.

They say that it takes 15 times on the plate before they try it.
My now 17 year old did not like vegetables after the age of 3. It was a texture thing. I gave him vitamins and didn't make an issue out of it. Girls came into the picture at about age 15. He eats it all now...
Peer pressure can be a good thing.
LBC

Put them on her plate along with everyone else's plate. I agree that she needs to see that they are a part of meals. Some people use the age rule - if you're 4 you should eat 4 peas, 4 carrot "coins" etc. I'd have your husband tell the in-laws to back off - the pressure never works. Some kids have taste issues, some have texture issues. Disguise things as much as you can (butternut squash in the mac & cheese). Keep trying. Take her to a farm to see things growing. Right now, it's apple picking and not much else, but you get the idea.

I'm not sure what vitamin she takes but remember there are warning labels on kids' vitamins, and most pediatricians say they aren't absorbed so you are paying for "expensive urine" as most is eliminated. There is a great kids' supplement (made by the same food scientist on the team that developed ProSoBee formula) that is a powder you mix in liquid, so it is very highly absorbed. No warning labels, delicious vanilla or chocolate. That might appeal to her sweet tooth. It's called Reliv Now for Kids (www.reliv.com) - and it has DHA for brain function. I know a few products are adding DHA now but the Reliv Kids' product has had it for over 10 years and the amounts are based on all the research, not just thrown in there for advertising purposes. You buy it thru a distributor who is trained to help you - let me know if you want more info. It's power-packed and there's no waste because the kids love it!

I used to make pancakes with all kinds of nutrition hidden in them (including broccoli! No kidding.) Increase her to whole grain cereals, whole-wheat breaded nuggets, whole wheat pasta. Make French toast with soy protein milk (or use the powder & water) with extra eggs, and use a bread with lots of holes so the batter sinks in. Add cinnamon which sometimes helps satisfy the sweet tooth.

As for sweets - all things in moderation. Accompanied by toothbrushing. But less if she eats a lot of processed foods.

Good luck.

I will sometimes make green smoothies for my 2.9 year old. A handful of Kale, green pepper, avocado, carrot juice, and then some frozen pineapple chunks (sometimes I also add soy milk or yogurt). It's a nice treat- especially since it's a bit fruity and "frozen" But jammed packed with veggies. This is the Only way he eats any veggies.

I agree with your pediatrician. If she doesn't see the veggies on her plate every day, she will not have the expectation that veggies are to be eaten every day. If she doesn't eat what you put out just wait until later and eat it yourself (I always save a little room in my belly during meals knowing that I'll have to finish some of my daughters food). Keep in mind that a raw carrot (or any raw veggie) can always be put back into the refigerator-no waste. Even cooked veggies can be stored in the refrigerator for someone else to eat later. THat's assuming that the other people in the house eat veggies. If you don't, you'll need to start because if she doesn't see you eating them every day then she probably won't either. The advice I read early on was to serve something green with every single meal. I didn't do that exactly; I just served a veggie w/every meal including (especially) breakfast. Often we have eggs and brussel sprouts sauted w/soy sauce, or eggs with tomatoes and cheese. Challenge yourself by trying to serve some sort of veggie with every meal of the day. She'll catch on!

Every kid is different. What one kid likes, another one hates. I agree with the doctor, put whatever vegetable you have on the plate. Not too much. She can always ask for more or if she starts eating it you can gradually increase the amount on her plate. My rule was at least one bite. I was raised sitting at the table for two hours until I ate everything on my plate. Thank God I had a dog who would eat it for me when my parents left me there. I still don't eat mashed potatoes or peas! Don't make a big deal out of it because it can become a power struggle and you need to save those for more important things.
I never made a big thing about sweets/candy. Nothing to eat after dinner if you didn't eat the majority of your food. (in my house we eat family style. The food is in the center of the table and they take what they want, therefore they should eat the majority of what they took). I think making a big deal about sweets/ candy just makes it more desired. I always have a ton on Halloween/Easter/Christmas candies left over. They eat some for a week and then leave it. Moderation is the key. My youngest, now 10, was saying the other night that the kids who aren't allowed sweets make a pig of themselves whenever it's available. The kids who have sweets only eat a little.

J.,
As some moms pointed out, some kids just have trouble with certain textures, smells, tastes, etc. I know it is profoundly frustrating. My whole family revolved around food growing up and I love to cook, but my son could go all day without eating a bite and he has no interest in anything outside of the acceptable foods. I have tried cooking with him, taking him to the farm, apple picking, etc. After the farm he said he wanted to grow up to be a gardener and he loves cooking with me, but nothing gave him any interest in fruits or vegetables. The "keep putting it out" did work. Even then, he might try it (to make mom happy), but he would not regularly add it to his diet. He did like a Charlie and Lola book about picky eating that actually got him to try green peas (now an accepted food) and sometimes he will try something if another child is eating it that he likes. As another mom pointed out, peer pressure works. I have also discovered his secret scents and tastes - he has a weakness for cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. So, this weekend I got him to eat a little apple cobbler (mostly the cobbler with vanilla ice cream). I don't know if he will ever do it again, but you need to keep trying just to keep up their willingness to give something new a chance. Don't let your daughter get stuck in a routine of safe foods, just keep trying and good luck.
C.

I found this amazing recipe for tomato sauce with hidden veggies. It's from Anabel Karmel's Superfoods for Babies and Children book. See whether your library has it. The recipe is on page 99 (at least in my copy). You can actually sneak in a few other vegetables as well if you have them on hand. I always add extra mascarpone cheese (the secret ingredient). The recipe calls for tomoatoes (of course), zucchini, carrots, red peppers, mushrooms and/or eggplants, and onions. Sometimes I add spinach. The sauce is so yummy (even if you add no salt or sugar) that I make huge quantities of it and put it in the freezer. I use it for our pastas, pizzas, and anything else that requires tomato sauce. It's seriously the best pasta sauce I've ever had.

You might also check out Anabel Karmel's books for ways to make food interesting. My kids eat lots of different vegetables, so although I love Karmel's books for the baby food, I haven't bothered with her ideas for older children. She suggests ways to make vegetables and meals into people or animals or other interesting things that are fun to eat. She claims her books are aimed at picky eaters.

I would also just keep offering vegetables. I've noticed that my kids won't eat something one day and love it the next (or, sadly, vice versa). And make sure you are doing interesting things with vegetables! I always thought vegetables were boring when I was a kid. Now I know that my parents just didn't know how to cook them! Fine Cooking put out a Perfect Vegetables cookbook I like. They also had a special called "vegetables get saucy" in one issue, although unfortunately I don't remember which one. You could search the web site. I love the idea of making the vegetable into a sauce to accompany the meat or fish, though. I bet the corn sauce would taste good on a chicken nugget!

I like recipes that have the vegetables hidden somehow. Another favorite recipe is one for pork meatballs with a spicy tomato sauce. The meatballs have shredded zucchini in them, and the sauce has tomatoes and carrots. If you are interested in the recipe, send me a private email.

One last idea is to get a juicer. We have made juice from carrots, oranges, beets, cucumbers, mellons, spinach, grapes ... you can try mixing different fruits and vegetables (warning: a little beet goes a long way!). Let your daughter help make the juice, and she'll be more likely to try it.

My youngest, age 9, still doesn't eat veggies (my oldest eats most anything we cook w/ some exceptions). The doctor suggestion is exactly what I do - I put it on his plate (only 2-3 bites) and see if he tries it. I usually say he has to try at least one bite before he leaves the table - that typically works to get him to try it. I'm not sure how that would be wasteful but that is your call. The foods in your daughter's diet are good, so just keep trying to introduce foods and go from there...

You are right about your in-laws - it is never fair to compare the kids.

I add a smooshed banana to pancake batter and try to make whole wheat breads/muffins with fruits or vegetables (banana, pumpkin, applesauce, chocolate zucchini). My daughter won't eat cooked fruits in breads (like blueberries), but will eat pureed. You can find recipes for cookies w/ fruit too.
You could add pureed fruit to her yogurt. I think it's Stonyfield that has yogurt w/ fruits and veggies that are still sweet, but the nutruitional value from them is probably minimal. You could also mix in wheat germ and/or ground flax.
We make pureed cold fruit soups, which are often the same as smoothies. (I usually have to strain them.) An online search will give you lots of recipes.
There are 100% fruit strips/roll-ups in the grocery store. Just make sure they're not simply fruit flavored. (Tooth brushing after sticky fruits is recommended.)
100% fruit juices aren't optimal, but are better than nothing. Many brands have vegetables in them as well. My daughter will even drink V-8.
You might see if she'll try beets since they are sweet. Have you cooked carrots w/ brown sugar to appeal to her sweet tooth?
Against popular recommendations, I do require that my daughter eats a protein and fruit/veggie for dinner in order to get dessert. But, I serve her what I know she will eat. And, portions are small.
I'm encouraged by those who have said their kids eventually eat a wider range of foods. :-)
Good luck,
J.

maybe in life she will understand that vegetables are good for her. But if she is that pickie try subsituting it for a pediasure and then like in mac and cheese throw a pound of burger in just to see what she will do....