My son is a very picky eater.. wont eat meat, chicken , fish anything .. any suggestions how to get him to eat

Abigail - posted on 01/19/2009

Yes, it does seem to be a common problem, which is encouraging... my one year old will not eat any meat, so sometimes I still feed him the baby food with DHA added.  He actually likes tofu, you could try that, and cheese is always good if he doesn't have any problems with dairy.  I think we worry a lot about them getting enough protein, but moms in poorer countries have fed their babies on nothing but breastmilk and mashed sweetpotatoes and rice for the first 3 to 5 years, and the kids are fine.  I'm currently having trouble getting my little guy to eat  anything.  I find it helps to let him "discover" it, so I'll try the "helping" mom in the kitchen thing too.

Misty - posted on 01/19/2009

My son is going through a stage where he won't eat meat either. He will eat chicken nuggets sometimes but not often. When I offer him meat with vegetables he ALWAYS chooses the vegetables. My doc told me to try to mix the meat in with other foods but he always seems to eat around the meat. I've been told he will grow out of this, but if he does not, then it will be fine too. you can offer your children other things to allow them to get the proper amount of protein. I think this may be a phase all children go through at some point.

Qurina - posted on 01/18/2009

my brother was that way when he was younger and the doctors told my mom to take him to the store and let him pick out some things that interest him and see if that worked and sure enough it did... Good Luck!!

Angela - posted on 01/16/2009

my daughter is 20 months and is picky sometimes- one she has to have variety- if i give her say chicken nuggets one day and she eats it up- i think she likes it and give it to her the next day- she wont eat it. she does not eat a lot of meat at all. she does do better if she is sitting at the table with us, with a fork and we are eating the same thing, or she will try more off our plates then her own. one thing i do though is - she loves tomatoe sauce so i cut tofu into little cubes and toss it in tomatoe sauce and heat it up a little- she eats it up and i feel better about getting her some protein. also she loves black beans and rice- beans are great for protein and fiber. and last- somedays instead of actually making lunch- i have a plate of snacks(cereal, fruit, yogart bites...) on the coffee table- while im cleaning or busy- if she is hungary- she'll eat what is on the plate even if she doesnt really want it- but if im busy- she wont whine to me about getting something else- i leave food out that is fine to be out for a couple hours- and eventually she eats.and with variety in drinks- she loves drink boxes over anything- if i give her a sippy cup of milk she wont drink it- but i get those drink boxes of vanilla or strawberry soy milk- she drinks it up. good luck

Jennifer - posted on 01/16/2009

Meat is not necessary to maintain your child's health. Our three year old have been a vegetarian since birth and is the picture of perfect health. The other moms are amazed that she eats broccoli!

Teresa - posted on 01/15/2009

My three year old daughter is a vegetarian.  She refuses to eat any kind of meat, even chicken nuggets.  My peditrician recommended eating lots of cheese, yogurt, and peanutbutter to get the protein that she needs.  I fix salads every night to serve with dinner anyways, so she usually just eats her salad.  I offer her the other food we are having for dinner and occassionally she will try a bite or two, but I do not make a big deal about it.

I know it is diffiult, and you feel like a short order cook, having to fix multiple meals to satisfy your child.  But, if you make a big deal about it it will only reinforce the behavior and your son will dig in his heels and continue to be picky.  My suggestion is to continue to offer him a variety of different foods, and eventually he will grow out of it.  I have also found that my kids are more likely to try new dishes if they have the opportunity to help me fix them.  Obvioulsy they are not allowed near the stove or sharp knives, but they help by mixing things and getting stuff out of the fridge, and then they stay in the kitchen and watch.

Good luck!!!!

Christine - posted on 01/15/2009

I have tried everything I can think of - he wont eat hot dogs, turkey dogs he gets pickier every day! I will just keep putting food in front of him hoping that he will eat it -- thanks for the advice

Andrea - posted on 01/11/2009

Have you tired turkey hot dogs a much healthier variation of a kids faviorite junk food.   It's not the best but it is a start.

Rachel - posted on 01/09/2009

My son won't eat meat either. I have to make it really small and mix it in with his spinich (sp?) or his mashed potatoes. With fish he won't eat it unless it's breaded. I use Italian bread crumbs to bread it and then bake it. He'll eat beef if it has cheese on it. He's been eating with utensils for a while so I don't know if your son is or if it has anything to do with anything.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/09/2009

My son is the same as what Lacee said. He won't eat anything unless I sit hm at the table with a fork and the proper set up like the adults. He's a copy cat and when he sees us eating he wants to eat the same way.

Christine - posted on 01/09/2009

thanks for that info i will have to try that.. any suggestions to me are great.

Lacee - posted on 01/09/2009

Hi!  Have you ever tried cheesy scrambled eggs?  All you do is just add a crumbled slice of Kraft american to the bowl while your mixing the eggs.  Then pour the mixture into the pan and scramble.  The Kraft melts immediately.  Then try to keep the eggs on the softer side and try and keep it in big chunks.  It's a taste most kids really like.  I would also recommend letting him eat with a fork.  He may enjoy trying to eat like you rather than just with his fingers.  He will probably still end up eating with his fingers, but it having the fork (adult size, but plastic) makes the eating process a little more interesting.  My mom bought me some reusable plastic picnic ware from IKEA that is very colorful.  My babies now won't eat unless I give them the proper utensils.  Hope this helps!

Lacee - posted on 01/09/2009

Hi!  Have you ever tried cheesy scrambled eggs?  All you do is just add a crumbled slice of Kraft american to the bowl while your mixing the eggs.  Then pour the mixture into the pan and scramble.  The Kraft melts immediately.  Then try to keep the eggs on the softer side and try and keep it in big chunks.  It's a taste most kids really like.  I would also recommend letting him eat with a fork.  He may enjoy trying to eat like you rather than just with his fingers.  He will probably still end up eating with his fingers, but it having the fork (adult size, but plastic) makes the eating process a little more interesting.  My mom bought me some reusable plastic picnic ware from IKEA that is very colorful.  My babies now won't eat unless I give them the proper utensils.  Hope this helps!