My 3 yr. old will not eat meat unless it's chicken nuggets. I'm so frustrated. Besides peanut butter, which is supposly being taken off the grocery store shelves, any other protein?

Beth - posted on 01/27/2009

YoBaby yogurt has protein, too. Meat's not what it's cracked up to be anyway, so try veggie dogs/burgers, too.

Bethany - posted on 01/27/2009

This may sound boring, but rice and black beans makes a good, full protein. (Cheap, too!) I actually like the combo a lot.

Gabrielle - posted on 01/27/2009

Our first little girl started with tofu before meats. At 2-1/2, she still prefers softer meats, like pot roast. grilled skirt steak (have a Super Suppers in your area?), or stewed pork. If you get a firm tofu, you can use mini cookie cutters to make it more fun to eat ;)

Jacque - posted on 01/27/2009

Hi. I am new on this community but I have a 5 yr. old boy who has always been pretty "picky" when it comes to food. 4 years ago we put him on an amazing all naturally organic protein powder that we mix with 1 or 2 % milk and he loves it!! We were drinking it ourselves and one of the doctors with this company suggested that we put him on it so that his little body was getting the proper nutrition and protein to help his little muscles grow. It has an enzymen delivery system that breaks down so that he doesn't get constipated too! He startes every day and I mean every single day with it and asks for it to boot! Sometimes at night he will ask for one as well. He has something wrong with his throat today and he drank the shake this orning which made me feel good as he doesn't want to swallow. As I am typing this I just overheard him ask Dad for another shake? Anyway it has been a life saver and it a staple in our family. We all drink them - me to keep weight off and him to feed his brain and body. Love, Jacque

Paige - posted on 01/27/2009

Have you tried breading pork chops in crushed crackers or bread crumbs and baking them. They are delicious and pork is the other white meat. I bet he would not even know the difference. there are alot of good recipes on allrecipes.com

Brecca - posted on 01/26/2009

My 3 year old only eats hot dogs not other meat. I understand your frustration. Thanks to the other moms for your advise.

Teresa - posted on 01/26/2009

My ds loves black beans.  I put them in a wheat tortilla with cheddar cheese and it is his favorite.  The beans and the cheese both have protein.  Hope that helps!

Tahna - posted on 01/26/2009

There are a lot of alternatives for protein ... get a vegetarian cookbook .... you may have a vegan on your hands

Sharon - posted on 01/26/2009

My 21 month old will hardly eat any meat. I think chicken is the norm that most kids will eat. Red meat is tougher so they may stay away from it a little bit longer. I think it's great your little one is eating chicken. My son loves hard boiled eggs so he gets that for breakfast most days and beans are an excellent source of protein and loves all kinds of cheese.

Rachel - posted on 01/25/2009

Try Quinoa, it's a Super Protein and tastes great.  You can find it in the natural foods isle at the grocery store or possible in bulk.  It is a beige colored grain that is very tiny, about the size of a rye seed.  I usually sautee a bit of finaly chopped onions & red bell in about 1 tsp olive oil, add the water (bring to boil) then add the Quinoa, cover and cook 13 minutes.  It is super easy to make and my kids (minus the 8 yr old) love it.   Cheese & Tempeh are good protein sources too.

Melissa - posted on 01/25/2009

Tofu, eggs, cereals, beans, cheese, milk, bread, and pastas all have protein.  If your child is eating some of these everyday, they are probably fine.  Toddlers need only 2 servings of protein per day so I would not stress about it too much.  Be sure that they are taking their daily vitamin!

Vanessa - posted on 01/25/2009

On peanut butter -- try an organic kind and keep it in the fridge. Also, you could try tofu or mixing incomplete proteins like rice and beans.

Jolie - posted on 01/25/2009

I tried fish sticks.  It works.  My toddler thinks they are chicken since they are breaded also.  I kept offering fish sticks throughout the week.  She is now taking a few bites out of a small cheeseburger.   you can also try hot dogs.  because they can be a bit salty, depending on what kind you buy, toddler tend to like those too.  I heat them up a bit in the microwave, cut in half so they are hand sized.  :)  i hope this helps

Aimee - posted on 01/25/2009

All of my children went through this phase. It truly goes away!! I heard that the jar peanut butter was supposedly ok, and not part of the salmonella scare.

Priscilla - posted on 01/25/2009

Thanks! I tried the eggs a bunch of ways, but he's so stubborn. I have hope though!

Laynette - posted on 01/25/2009

My oldest son was also the same way.  Just keep offering meat and have them try little pieces each time.  I don't believe in forcing it but if they can at least keep trying eventually they will eat it.  Also eggs are another good protein source.  Our son is almost 11 now and he is eating steak, hamburgers, jerky, chicken and ham.  I think ham was the first meat he finally took to.  We were so excited the first time he decided he would eat a cheeseburger--of course with no sauce, ketchup, etc. only lettuce and cheese.  He will not eat spaghetti though because of the sauce or pizza.  We will get there someday I imagine.