My son is 20 months he will be 2 in June. He was a wonderfully plump baby but then when food had to be introduced we did the try and try again with babyfood. For about 2 weeks he would eat carrots and greenbeans. That was it. Slowly I kept trying to introduce other things and he shot me down, on everything. I am a single mom and have been doing this on my own since Jax was 3 mo. I had asked that everyone respect my wishes of no sips of soda or licks of candy. Clearly that didn't work when he now asks for cookies and candy. Anyway he only eats bacon, spam (grandpas influence), chicken nuggets, fast food french fries, muffins, french toast and mostly graham crackers. I try to make what he does eat somewhat healthy; wheat coated home made chicken nuggets, whole wheat french toast, I have even been doing fresh fruit in whole wheat muffins. I give him a multi vitamin and I put oveltine in his milk but I really just want him to eat. I have shoved a taste of food in his mouth like steak or porkchops and he used to go yum and eat those but now nothing. Sorry if this was rambled. He has also stopped napping and I think he thinks he runs this place now that I moved my father in. Please share your wisdom other mothers. lotsa love ;)
I am a firm believer that he won't starve himself but if he doesn't get something he likes then he just cries and cries and throws these fits. I have tried to start with some chicken and throw some yummy sides out there and he does like mash pot so I try those with a diff meat and veggie he eats the things he like and the others go to waste.
You sound like you are doing the best you can. Youu are right, he will not
starve. The bacon and the spam sends shivers up and down my spine.
Even I would stop that (and I am pretty easy going). His tastes will change.
Just keep trying. That is all you can do.
DON'T cater to his behavior, or it will get worse. Offer him healthy foods every day, don't give up. Decide on your meals and offer them. If he refuses, then he doesn't eat that meal. Offer whole wheat toast/fruit/cheese/yogurt/etc for snacks in between meals. Don't try to hide veggies and nutrients. Just give him healthy foods, filled with veggies and beans and whole grains. He WILL eventually begin eating them. Good luck!
Boars head is a great brand and they have a wonderful website-check this out:
http://www.boarshead.com/nutrition.php
The so-called "terrible twos" begin in the second year of life-around the first birthday-he sounds normal-not judging-but watch the salt intake-damaging to the little kidneys and hard on the arteries, as well. I cannot begin to tell you the value of having Grandpa around-it will mean a world of difference to your son in the long run. You're doing a great job-you clearly care very deeply-try to put Tiny and Grandpa on the same diet-they'll both benefit. Keep introducing fresh fruits and veggies. You can mix a little fruit juice with milk to make a delicious smoothie. And the multi vitamin you are giving will go a long way. someday, when you turn around, he will be 6'2" and you will wonder if he will ever stop eating!
You sound like me when my kids were little. And you are making the same mistake that I made too. Do NOT give into this like I did. I threw in the towel after determining that they were picky and worked around their pickiness like you. And eventually I even stopped feeding them new things. I wish I would have kept at trying to make them eat things instead of giving up. They are super picky now and very set in their ways. You son is still quite young so there is hope.
Here are a few more ideas, just to have a little more variety. How about granola bars(you can get some that are low sugar or look for some organic stuff if you like), apple sauce(unsweetened), diced peaches, bananas, mandarin oranges in lite syrup, peanut butter and honey sandwich on whole wheat breat(I cut up banana and put it inside and call it peanut butter banana surprise :), rice with a little butter, carrots cut up in chunks and call them bunny bites you can do a little side of ranch bc kids love to dip things, oatmeal you can throw in raisins if he likes them, ants on a log(celery with peanut butter and some raisins, let him make it), a little protein powder in his milk sometimes. I have a picky eater and I am so not above a bribe, seriously. I do let him have fruit snacks so I will tell him that he can have some if he eats all his dinner complete with meat, starch and veggies. If he doesn't then you really have to follow through and not give the snacks! If my son doesn't eat a meal then his only snack options are water and something boring like pretzels until the next meal, definitely no sugar if no eating happens. After following through with that a couple times, mine ate better!! Also consistency helps a lot. Mine does so much better at the table focused on eating. It doesn't always happen, but when it gets rough like what you are going through, then that takes a major priority. The main thing is that you can curb this, even though he may continue with some pickiness. Mine just doesn't do beans, at all. I just make rice and pasta for carbs. He is funny about potatoes, so I don't make a big issue out of it. Mostly don't stress over it too much, if he doesn't eat then just tell him he can have his food later and put it in the fridge or do the boring snacks until next meal idea. I don't deny food if he's hungry, but I don't do any junk in place of real food either. Good luck, I know it can be frustrating, mine is now almost 4 and doing soooooo much better!!
We are going through the same thing. It won't last forever. Just keep trying.
I would stop with the oveltine and the "sneaky chef" methods. I would start with meals that are mostly food you know he likes and one (maybe two) items to try. He eats what he eats, and try to be ok with that. He will not starve himself! If he's hungry, he will eat. As he begins to try new things, you can introduce more new foods.
Above all, try not to stress about it. If you stress, you and he will both begin to associate eating with stress, and that's not good for anyone.
I think this will help :)
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/picky-eaters.html
Try some fruit & yogurt smoothies. Apple butter on toast. Soft veggies with lite ranch dips. Soft cheese cubes. Waffles with a little butter or fruit spread on them. Just keep trying and keep offering different things. Cereals. Fresh fruits.
Take something he likes (chicken and offer a different dipper sauce -- it might pique his appetite to try more "new" things.)
try carrotts,red peppers and rice cakes. keep trying different things all the time and you will find things he likes.it will get better with time. sometimes it is not just the taste but also the texture. try some yogurt. let him cry and tell him he needs to take a nap. remember you are the boss he is not. also let your dad know you are the boss of your son and that he needs to respect your rules. he needs to help back you up and could be a good influence on him. sit down and talk to him. it is nice to have a man in his life. god bless and good luck.
Stop giving him junk food (especially the spam!!) and fast food. Make sweet potatoes fries instead of fast food fries. He will default to eating the over salted/greasy/sugary foods, but if it's not around to be given to him, then he will eventually eat healthy again. Sure, when grandpa is around there are going to be slip-ups, but ultimately you are the one in control of what food goes on his plate, and what food enters your home.
Even if he refuses food, continue to offer it. He will eventually try it. This is normal for kids to reject food the first 10 times or so. Dr. Sears has some excellent advice on feeding picky eaters:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030800.asp
and lots more feeding advice, especially the "shaping young taste":
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T030100.asp
I guess I'm giving my almost 2 year old twins "tough" love. lol! They are in their high chairs and I'll have the spoon with the healthy food on it and I keep it in front of them and say, "try it" and they'll say, "no" and want the snacks. But I just keep at it. I figure I'd better outlast their whines and cries or they'll know that they just have to cry a little longer and then mommy will give in. It's them that usually end up giving in and eating the food. If I see them spit it out, then I know they really don't like it. But most of the time they eat it and continue eating it. If they're just tolerating it, they know they only need to have 5 bites of it before I'll give them something they do like (like yogurt or string cheese, something still healthy). I know my go-to food for them is pasta with veggies and chicken in it (they love broccoli, zucchini, and green beans). Plus, for their juice I only give them the V-Fusion to give them more veggies in case I'm not giving them enough. I know it's expensive, but I put 3/4 juice to 1/4 water in their sippy cups and buy it at Target/Wal-Mart or in bulk at Costco, it's much cheaper at those stores instead of the grocery store.
Check jessica seinfeld cookbooks.the first cookbook has lots of recipes for picky eaters.
The ladies below gave some great advice but one thing to keep in mind . . . he is only 20 months. I myself have a two year old and am struggling as well. When I posted a few days ago asking the same question many ladies gave the same advice to me as they are you but they also reminded me that he is two and still learning. He will become a better eater as he develops a sense of what he likes and what he doesn't like. Certainly the sweet stuff tastes the best so of course he is going to want that. As many ladies stated . . . keep the sweets out of the house or to a minimum. I myself am a sweet freak and like to pop a piece of chocolate every now and again so we do have a stash at time. Try to be consistent with no sweets/junk food. It's hard and can be frustrating as again I am going through the same thing right now. Good luck to you!!!
eliminate all junk/unhealthy foods from the house.
Offer him the same meal you eat. If he doesn't eat, then don't substitute it with anything else...including nutrition drinks. The next time he's hungry, offer him the same food! Even with my daycare, if a child will not eat lunch - then it's wrapped in foil & stored in the frig. The same plate is offered at snack time then.
I am not a short order cook. If the food is too spicy, then I pull out the child's portion before the spices are added. We all eat the same....& I also don't bother with trying to sneak whole wheat, vegies, etc in.....!! Stand firm, Mom! You can achieve success without coercion, without stress. Make it simple & matter-of-fact.....& he'll learn to listen to you!
