My 15 month old's real picky with meat. ..ideas?

Carley - posted on 12/13/2009

I have the same problem. My daughter love pies though so I make my own shepherds pies, in tiny size and she thinks they're fantastic and so simple!

Sherri - posted on 12/12/2009

That's a great idea, to grind up the meat and put it in with something else they like. I used to do that with veggies. My kids have always liked green beans and broccoli, but anything else like carrots I used to shred and hide in meat loaf which they seemed to really like,

Diane - posted on 12/11/2009

My two grandsons are picky and so was my son for awhile. I like to cook beans and rice for them and they love the black beans. I was taught that as long as you have a whole grain and a legume you had plenty of protein. I also suggest that you put your cooked chicken or pork in a food chopper and then sprinkle the meat over something yummy that they like i.e. mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. Chicken or turkey goes well mixed in baked acorn, butternut squash or sweet potato with a little brown sugar and maybe some cinnamon. Just mash up the veggie and mix the meat right in.

Gretchen - posted on 12/10/2009

My third child is almost 7 and still does not care for meat. He will eat and occasional piece of chicken or pork but the rest is just not for him. He eats fish though! He loves fish! We have also incorporated eggs (not his favorite) and lots of beans and lentils into his diet. You can replace beans or lentils for the meat in a lot of dishes. He will eat peanut butter occasionally and that helps. And he loves (weird I know) soy milk and soy vitamin enhanced drinks (like Boost).

Nicola - posted on 12/10/2009

What do you do if your child only likes beef or minced stuff but won't eat chicken, cheese, and your husband has a nut allergy so not sure if they have too!

Sherri - posted on 12/09/2009

You have probably figured out by now that your son isn't the first kid to not like meat. My youngest daughter wouldnt eat meat until she was about 3. The first meat she ever ate & liked was ham. But she loved eggs and liked peanut butter so she did alright in the protein department.

My middle daughter wouldnt eat potatos of any kind when she was little. Not even french fries. Now that she's a teenager of course french fries are the bomb! Most kids have their weird little food foibles when they are small.

Dawn Fortier - posted on 12/09/2009

I was told to either give cheese or peanut butter for protein that weren't getting by not eating meat.

Chris - posted on 12/07/2009

my 3 yr old has been a self-imposed vegetarian for most of his life, but he will eat barbecue chicken from the crockpot and my kids found a recipe for upside down pizza that they all love, I never have leftovers.
1 lb ground beef, browned
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 frozen package broccoli & cauliflower, thawed
2 cups shredded cheese
1 can refrigerated pizza dough
brown meat in skillet, season and mix in spaghetti sauce.. turn into 2qt casserole dish.. top with broccoli, cauliflower & cheese.. press dough on top to seal edges.. bake 375 degrees for about 20 minutes

Krista - posted on 12/07/2009

Beans are great but you have to try lentils. My kids love curried lentils of almost any sort, serve with rice or other curry type dish and steamed veggies.
And hummus. most kids love to dip so have lots of veggie sticks and whole grain crackers with the hummus and he should be quite content for a while. It also makes a nice spread for savory sandwiches/wraps and it can be done so many ways, plain or with roasted red peppers or change up the seasoning.
1 can chickpeas (rinsed)
1/2c tahini
juice of 1 lemon
1/3c water or more (till you get the right consistency)
salt, pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic
process all ingredients in food processor till smooth and store in fridge.
we like it bold so I add more garlic and more lemon juice but you may want to start tame for your son.

My oldest didn't eat meat till he was almost 3 and he eats a really well balanced diet now. Always offer but never force him to eat meat or other foods for that matter because it will turn them off but offering allows them the chance to try without fear or pressure. you might feel frustrated right now but there is hope!

Lindsey - posted on 12/07/2009

I cover the meat in sauces and my lil girl eats it up. From sgetti sauce to ranch or even katsup. I make stuff up sometimes too. Try it out. Good luck!!

Martie - posted on 12/07/2009

Meat is a source of protein and there are many other sources you can substitute for meat. Your best bet would be to ask your pediatricians office for SAFE substitutes. If your child isn't allergic to nuts, they are a great source, as are many other legumes, lima beans, pinto beans .. check an online search for sources of proteins that are safe for children as well.

Emily - posted on 12/07/2009

My brother was the same so my mum would blend it up mixed with carrots and potato's or what ever he likes, hope that helps.

Rachelle - posted on 12/07/2009

Nothing too terrible... sometimes, kind of like corn, the skins will come through undigested; that's just a little weird for someone who may change the diaper, but didnt know what it was they ate!

KATHY JO - posted on 12/07/2009

MY CHILDREN ARE ALL GROWN NOW- BUT I HOPE THIS HELPS WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE MY BOYS WERE VERY PICKY EATERS TOO!! MAYBE LUNCHABLES-OR THE LITTLE VIENNA SAUSAGES OR EVEN LUNCH MEAT!!?? I KNOW IT DOESN'T SOUND VERY HEALTHY BUT AT LEAST THEY ARE EATING. NOW MY YOUNGEST SON DRINKS THE V-8 JUICE AND LOVES IT!!!

Ruth - posted on 12/05/2009

Like someone said above, beans. My little one loves whole beans. I don't know about the messy diaper question. She'll take bites of tofu, and sometimes heavily seasoned hamburger, like taco meat (usually mixed with beans anyways). And I definitely second scrambled eggs and so forth.

Lori - posted on 12/05/2009

My oldest was the same way. Welcome to the world of peanut butter or eggs. My dad got him to eat baked fish one night. Plain cod with butter on it. I about passed out when he liked it.



If you want to try some meat ideas, figure out what his friends eat at school/daycare and see if he will eat what they eat. If not, start to introduce meat through spaghetti, lasagna or casseroles.

Jamera - posted on 12/05/2009

Quoting Cera:

My 15 month old's real picky with meat. ..ideas?

Would you have any ideas for ways to get my son to eat different kinds of meat, or ways to supplement the meat so he can still get all the goodness he would be getting if he would actually eat it. Thanks

My son I swear was born Vegetarian and refused to eat meat or anything with meatin it until he was about 2.  I supplemented his meals with lots of spinach which he loves, and soy products like soy milk, tofu and also alot of mushed beans. Hope that helps!

Louise - posted on 12/05/2009

I make a dish for my sons who both HATE meat! But they love it. It sounds a little odd, but goes down really well. I cook mince, and add baked beans, carrots and peas, and a little gravy granules and spot of water. It really fills them up and they often ask for more.

Amanda - posted on 12/04/2009

my daughter wont eat meat i might be lucky if she eats one bite of chicken or porkchop that's the only thing she will touch if she touches meat.But she eats alot of peanut butter and eggs,bread and shrimp.she loves em.hope this helps.just watch him if you feed him shrimp in case of any allergy.

Cera - posted on 12/04/2009

Great. Thanks. But do they make real messy diapers? lol I just wanna know what I would be in for?

Rachelle - posted on 12/04/2009

Beans!! They are a great source of protein, and a fun finger food too! Not kidney beans though, the skin is too thick, try thinner-skinned white, black, or pinto's. My son likes COLD black beans best - strange, I know... but it works for us!