How to make my child like food?

Marina - posted on 08/06/2010

First off what kind of foods are you offering him? It may just be that he isn't interested in the kind of food being offered. I had an awful time feeding my kids when they were younger as well, and then I tried different ethnic foods. Low and behold they loved the spicier mexican foods that I loved, and not the american foods like fries or burgers and hot dogs. As teens, they now have a wider taste pallet than I do.

Claudia - posted on 08/06/2010

here's n idea. play ths lttl game tht i call "Me Like/ Me No Like" wht u do is vry simple: hav ur chld/rn sit @ a table and blindfold them. Feed them a small peice of food tht strts w th letter "A" and go dwn the alphabet take notes as they say "Lik" o "No Lik". Tht wy u knw wht 2 mak them. Good luck. Tell me hw it went,k.

Debjani - posted on 08/05/2010

put him into a physical exercise like some sport or dance,he will be so hungry by the end of it,he will eat anything u put in front of him....just be strict ,don't give in to his tantrums.if he knows he won't get junk he will give in soon.

Christal - posted on 08/04/2010

don't worry to much ,if he still has plenty of energy he is still getting enough from the food he is eating, even if you don't know how lol getting him involved in the process of making the food or picking out what he does want to eat . at 2 it is all about control for the mom and kid lol . but most of all know that he will eat when he gets hungry I have 5 kids all of them were the same way and they are all grown up now with good appatites, so hang in there

Nikki - posted on 08/04/2010

Sounds like we are in the same boat. My oldest daughter is now 3 & she started that phase when we moved to MD 2 1/2 years ago it seems & kinda goes back & forth on some things & now my 2 year old is back and forth too. The doc told us the same thing, that if they are growing and all that it would be okay & they should grow out of it. I am with you though. As a parent t worries me too. I started giving them some of the little healthy kids shakes/drinks that you can get from walmart so they at least get whatever they might be missing. Hang in there & just keep offering the food & when ready it will happen :)

Joanna - posted on 08/04/2010

* My 2nd son went through A phase when he was about 9*~ a bit older yeah, but the same Problem~ he didn't want to eat much of anything ( For wk.s) & I was getting worried because he was already so thin & little for his age... I talked to the dr. & I got some Nutritious breakfast / Meal shakes ~ like the ones for older persons Meal repalcement, so i knew he would have his nutrition...they have them for toddlers now, they didn't at that time** lol` anyway, I my son didn't really care for them~but his choice was eat his food or the shake .. This Lasted About a mth or so** He is now *19* & very Healthy~

Miranda - posted on 08/03/2010

yeah my daughter is 19 mo and a grazer and the dr said that toddlers go through this, some days she eats good and others very little. she loves fruits more than anything, maybe just try pasta and fruit, things that they can pick up and eat easy. I hope this doesn't last long either. :) Good Luck!

Samantha - posted on 08/03/2010

you cant make a child eat food it will make them more picky, just ride the phaze out it shouldnt last too long and some children loss there apitite durring summer.

Anusha - posted on 08/02/2010

Thanks everyone for your helpful tips. Will try most of these ideas and see. Will let you all know what happens... :)

Kyrsten - posted on 08/02/2010

This is hard, I know. Don't fight him. Give him what you're having for the meal - preferably healthy stuff - and let him eat what of it he wants. Don't give up on trying stuff he rejects. It can take 15-20 tries for us to acquire a taste for something new. But variety keeps it from being boring for kids as well as adults. Don't try to force the issue, it will only backfire, even causing eating disorders. A great book is "Child of Mine" by Ellyn Satter. Helped put the responsibilities of feeding and eating in their proper perspective: I say when and what; the kids decide if they are going to eat it and how much. I don't sweat the rest...any more. Best wishes!

Tara - posted on 08/02/2010

My son is 2 1/2 and he is the same way. He hardly eats anything. He would only eat a few crackers a day if I would let him. Some days he will eat a decent breakfast but that will be it for the day. 95% of the time he doesn't eat dinner. We really try to get some nutrition in him but it is very hard. He doesn't drink too much juice or milk. He prefers water most of the time. I do give him a vitamin and a Fruitables (juice/veggies) at dinner time so at least he has something good going in. The doctor said it is a stage and as long as he is growing and gaining weight, don't be concerned. I'm hoping he grows out of it like my oldest son did. Hang in there. Your son is not alone.

Kristen - posted on 08/02/2010

Weighty Matters: Healthy Eating Strategies for Kids... http://wp.me/pRa1N-6b

Jane - posted on 08/02/2010

Where is he getting his nutrition? If he's drinking too much liquid, he won't have room for solids. We give the kids their milk after they finish their food.

As a rule, toddlers are carbo-loaders (which makes sense, given the speed at which they operate). Try hot dishes with pasta, etcetera.

Tracy - posted on 08/02/2010

he's old enough to help with simple things, like washing fruits and vegetables, or stirring not-hot things. Maybe if he helps "cook" he'll be more willing to try a few bites. I don't know if this will be actually helpful; my kids have always been really good eaters; but I do know they all LOVE to help me in the kitchen, fixing veggies or helping me mix bread/muffins/cupcake batter (usually, the messier, the better!)