really doesnt like meat!

Dana - posted on 07/25/2009

My daughter is a difficult eater (not fussy, just problematic), and to add to the normal terrible twos eating power struggles, she is also very small (ie: off the chart). I can't proclaim to be an expert on toddler eating issues since I can't solve my own kid's problems, but I have talked to a lot of experts about toddler/baby diets and done more than my share of personal research. So for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents:

Toddlers have food issues that are mystifying to the rest of us. It could be a taste thing, or a texture thing, a smell thing, a color thing, a power thing, an independence thing, or even a "I just don't feel like it today" thing. In the end, it doesn't really matter. Keep offering meat, but don't force it or he'll rebel even more. Elizabeth is right about other sources (keep an eye out for fortified with iron), and a 1/2 of a multivitamin (we do traditional hard Flintstones because they break easily) helps. He needs a palm sized (his palm) serving of protein (beans, peanut butter, hummus, etc...) as this is considered an approximate serving size for him.

Liz - posted on 07/20/2009

I took my youngest to a dietician. She stopped eating any type of meat and I was worried about her protein levels but they advised that as long as the diet is varied enough, she would get the iron and proteins from other sorts of food. Eggs and Baked beans are a great source of iron and protein just watch the salt/sugar in the latter.
I kept offering the meat for a little while but in the end decided it was much better for her and me if I found alternatives.

Jessica - posted on 07/19/2009

ok so what do you all make of this... I dont think he doesnt like it.. I dont think he can actually swallow it? I was watching him the other night with a chop and he was putting them in his mouth and chewing them for ages but not actually swallowing them.. One piece he was chewing on for like 15mins till he gave up and asked to put it in the bin. Do you think this is something I should talk to his dietitian about?

Amanda - posted on 07/15/2009

our boys wont eat alot of meat either, but we substitute peanut butter, fish, dried fruits, and pasta for their meals. they like to sit around and eat trail mix, as long as we watch for the nuts so they dont choke. try mixing the meat babyfood in his favorite fruit, get it in and he wont notice. and beans mashed up, especially pintobeans, are a good source of iron.

Kelly - posted on 07/15/2009

My son doesn't like meat either except for fish - loves it. He is a dairy and strach eater. He is perfectly healthy so just keep offering and don't worry about it.

Shannon - posted on 07/14/2009

My 2 year old will eat anything but my oldest was my picky eater and she didn't eat any meat but chicken.

This is what I learned to do. If he doesn't like it, don't force him and don't worry about it.

He'll get his protien from other foods and he really doesn't need lots of iron. He'll get what he needs from eggs, cheese, milk, fresh water fish, peanut butter, fortified breakfast cereals, etc.

Eva - posted on 07/08/2009

mine won't eat any meat other than chicken nuggets , "hottie doggies" and lunch meat.

I feel your pain... lol

Olga - posted on 07/08/2009

Well, my little girl don´t like the meat to much neather and she is two now. But what I usually do is to do a vegetable puree and blend the meat in it, I know is not a good way for her two chew but it works in the way that don´t loose the vitamins and the iron of the meat....

Jessica - posted on 07/07/2009

LOL he doesnt like mashed potato either XD.. Ive tried so many ways to try and get him to try it. Ive tried cutting it into different shapes, putting sauces and stuff on it, letting him 'cut' it himself. but nothing seems to be working... and its not just a recent thing, its been since hes started eating solids. so thats like...almost 17months worth of trying.

Adellemaree - posted on 07/06/2009

My son is quiet picky, only eating sausages and ham he wont eat chicken or almost no fish( but he likes to catch them) I basically jus feed him what I kno he will eat. It is said that children should be offered the same food around ten times , for them to accept or reject it. mayb secrectly add very amounts to his mashed potatoe : ) keep tryin persistance pays off...!