How do I get my two year old to eat meat! I tryed everything.

Julie - posted on 04/03/2013

Don't make him eat it. If he eats lots of other foods, he'll be fine.

Pamela - posted on 03/29/2010

My 3rd child, a daughter also does not eat meat. She likes things like pies and eats just the crust, a hot dog and she eats the bun, She does love vegetables and will eat things even I dont like, so I give her lots of iron rich foods like broccoli and spinach. I was worried but as she loves vegies I gave up. She is now a healthy 17 year old, and had not eaten meat as we know it ever. In stews she eats the veggies and leaves the meat. She just does not like the texture. She said it is chewy and tastes bad. We all have our special tastes as we grow, I guess Shane has similar to my Kimberley.

Bethanie - posted on 03/29/2010

I agree with others, keep offering the meat, but don't stress over it. If he loves hot dogs, switch to all beef. MUCH better then the pork and other misc animal parts kind (yuck). We like the Hebrew National 97% Fat Free all beef hot dogs. Also, there are WAY more protein sources other then meat and just as good, if not better. Quinoa is a MUCH better source of protein then regular beans. Almond butter is a better quality protein then peanut butter (and very tasty!). Peanuts are the least nutritious of the nuts. Lentils, brocolli, spinach, peas, adding in some wheat germ to the things he eats and switching to whole grains (not whole wheat) are also good ways of getting the protein in him.

Rose - posted on 03/29/2010

Kids taste buds change every few years,,he will get there. As long as he see you guys eat it and it is there to try when the time is right for him.

Alison - posted on 03/29/2010

Focus on feeding him meat, cheese and legumes. Keep hotdogs to a minimum.

Kimberly - posted on 03/29/2010

its not really a bad thing if he dont eat meat there are other alternetives like make sure he eats things with protien and iron but if you really want him to eat meat try to make it fun like let him help you cook it like say you make chicken fingers let him roll it around in the flour mix if he helps you like that he mat eat it....i went through it when my son aaron was 2 he is now 20 he thinks he is a chef lol so yes make it fun and interseting he may eat it for you

Kerry-anne - posted on 03/29/2010

hello
my son is now four and would not touch the meat on his plate for two years only sausages. He now loves it and asks for chicken mince etc...
We were just like you worried something was wrong and if hed lose any nutrients.
Everytime we had a meal we just put the meat still on his plate but only a little bit with lots of vegetables and potatoes which he loves. he was never cranky or tired just the same as always so their was no harm in him not eating his meat. kids eat as much as they need to eat. Some just do not like the texture of the meat in their mouth.
So my advice is just keeping puttin a little bit on their plate at meal times the kid then becomes curious of wit it is and starts eating it again. xxx

Collette - posted on 03/29/2010

I have studied nutrition for many years and my advise is... Don't fight the issue, it will only stress you out. If he wont eat it now he may come around on his own. But don't let him go without the protein it will make him weak,cranky and less alert a growing body needs protein. I am not a crazy vegetarian, but I can tell you meat is not a necessary part of a healthy diet, when one eats meat it stays in the digestive system for 72 hours not digesting but rotting. Since your little one wont eat it, i would say he is just listening to what his body needs/wants. I would recommend looking into some veggie/bean based alternatives for protein, such as morning star or boca products which are fairly kid friendly. Also try increasing the consumption of low sodium seeds and nuts, try Skippy natural peanut butter it doesn't need to go in the fridge like other natural peanut butters, it's not as expensive either, plus it contains no sugar and is overall more nutritive than regular peanut butter. Also step up the multi grain bread, the 12 and 7 grain varieties contain sunflower seeds which add some protein to your diet. I also recommend switching the hot dogs out for veggie dogs, since he isn't consuming meat his little body probably doesn't know what to do with the processed meat in the hot dog. Hope this helps :)